The Concussion Nerds Podcast

EP 87: Challenging Migraine Myths: A Conversation With Dr. Thompson Maesaka


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Is it really just a headache—or is your brain trying to tell you something deeper?

If you've ever shrugged off recurring headaches or mislabeled your pain as a "migraine" without really knowing the difference, you're not alone. The truth is, many people—and even some clinicians—still don’t fully understand what makes a migraine different from a headache.

And that misunderstanding? It leads to missed diagnoses, mistreatment, and a whole lot of people suffering in silence, thinking, “This is just my new normal.”

But what if the pain isn’t your final story?

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Thompson Maesaka of The Neural Connection—a specialist with deep personal and clinical experience in neurological healing—who’s here to break down what’s really happening inside the brain during a migraine. From misunderstood symptoms to game-changing interventions, he’s sharing what he’s learned after years of clinical work and his own healing journey from concussion, Lyme disease, and chronic neurological dysfunction.

 

 

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

  • The key differences between a migraine and a headache (and why that matters)

  • What’s actually happening in the brain during a migraine episode—spoiler: it’s more like a seizure than a headache

  • The outdated beliefs that are still holding patients (and practitioners) back

  • Why “this is your new normal” is one of the most harmful things a clinician can say—and what should be said instead

 

 

This episode is a call to curiosity, compassion, and a completely different way of looking at migraine care. Tune in—you’ll never think about head pain the same way again.

 

 

🎉 ANNOUNCEMENT: Don't forget—Rethink Rehab Live is happening June 27th! This hands-on workshop is for clinicians who are ready to lead the future of concussion care. You'll walk away with the confidence and clarity to treat complex cases with skill—and start creating epic outcomes. Click here to learn more + save your spot.

Until next time, keep being the forward-thinking provider your clients need. 💥

Let’s connect!

 

Instagram: 

@concussionnerds https://www.instagram.com/concussionnerds/

@natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/

Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com

Learn how to connect & understand your nervous system so you can have greater outcomes in your health & healing journey: Grab a copy of the workbookhttps://www.natashawilch.com/understanding-connecting-your-nervous-system-1

 

Join the Clinician’s Edge to have Your Weekly Taste of Neuro Wisdom  here: https://www.natashawilch.com/clinicians-edge

 

Join the Concussion Mini School and Membership! Get the support and resources you need for concussion recovery:

  • Mini School: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussion-mini-school

  • Membership: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussion-mini-school-the-membership

Connect with Dr. Thompson:

Email: [email protected]

Tiktok: @headache_whisperer

 

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The Concussion Nerds PodcastBy Natasha Wilch

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