Q My MRI is normal, but my headache won't go away. Is it possible to fully recover, or do I have to live with it for life?
A It depends on the headache type and cause. Secondary headaches (cervical disc, sinusitis, etc.) can be cured by treating the cause, while for primary headaches a realistic goal is to greatly reduce the frequency and intensity of attacks rather than eliminate them completely.
Detailed Answer
Secondary headaches disappear when the underlying disease (cervical-spine abnormalities, sinusitis, blood pressure, eye disorders, etc.) is treated. For primary headaches (migraine, tension-type, cluster headache), the criteria for treatment success are seen as a reduction of attack frequency by 50% or more, improved quality of life, and reduced drug dependence, rather than complete cure. Migraine tends to ease as one gets older.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Dongjedang holds that the more a headache persists despite a normal MRI, the more it requires addressing an imbalance in the "body's root." For many people, bringing down risen heat and releasing blocked circulation to correct constitution and lifestyle markedly reduces the number of attacks. In particular, starting active treatment in one's 20s and 30s can prevent chronification in middle and old age.
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