Published Paper Details:

: Migraine, referred to as Shaqiqa in the Unani system of medicine, is a chronic, episodic headache disorder that predominantly affects one side of the head and has been documented since ancient times. Classical Unani scholars described Shaqiqa within the framework of humoral imbalance and deranged temperament (miz?j), emphasizing the influence of dietary habits, emotional states, lifestyle factors, and environmental exposures. In contrast, modern medicine characterizes migraine as a complex neurovascular disorder involving genetic predisposition, altered cortical excitability, trigeminovascular activation, and neurogenic inflammation. This narrative review explores the historical development of migraine concepts in Unani and modern medical literature and critically examines etiological factors and triggering mechanisms described in both systems. Classical Unani texts identify prolonged fasting, excessive exertion, menstrual irregularities, emotional stress, sleep deprivation, gastrointestinal disturbances, sensory overload, and specific dietary factors as major precipitants of Shaqiqa. Contemporary biomedical research reports remarkably similar triggers, including psychological stress, hormonal fluctuations, irregular sleep patterns, dietary components, sensory stimuli, and environmental changes. Despite differences in theoretical explanations, both traditions demonstrate striking convergence in clinical observations and preventive strategies. Integrating Unani and modern perspectives may therefore provide a more comprehensive understanding of migraine and support the development of patient-centered, integrative management approaches.