Migraines can be debilitating, often robbing individuals of their ability to lead normal lives. While many have sought relief through pharmaceutical medications, the side effects can be significant. Dr. Taimoorazy, a Bloomington physician with over 25 years of experience in private practice, recognized the limitations of conventional treatments and embarked on a journey to find a natural alternative that could provide genuine relief. This quest led to the creation of MiGuard, an all-natural headache nutritional supplement and a revolutionary approach to managing migraine pain with minimal side effects, and a growing customer base in the U.S. and internationally.
The story begins with Dr. Taimoorazy’s patients, who often were referred to him after exhausting other medical options. According to Dr. Taimoorazy, migraine pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting 15% of the U.S. population, or approximately 40,000,000 sufferers. Many of these patients found themselves poorly treated, misdiagnosed, or unable to tolerate the side effects of pharmaceutical medications. Dr. Taimoorazy, a specialist in anesthesiology, pain medicine, and headache medicine, observed that these side effects, including weight gain, kidney stones, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, and brain fog, could be as disruptive to daily life as the migraines themselves.
Patients, particularly teenagers, faced a difficult choice: endure the debilitating pain or cope with the equally debilitating side effects of medication. “Then, you’re left thinking, ‘Is this medication really helping me? Or, is it doing as much harm as good,’” Dr. Taimoorazy explains. This dilemma prompted him to explore natural alternatives that had undergone rigorous clinical trials, enabling him to confidently prescribe them.
Dr. Taimoorazy integrated natural substances that had been recognized for their efficacy by the American Academy of Neurology and The American Headache Society into his practice, discovering that certain combinations produced a synergistic effect, boosting the overall effectiveness. It took nearly a decade of careful research and experimentation to formulate the perfect combination of natural compounds for long-term use in his patients. However, recommending patients six different vitamins and supplements with specific dosages became challenging. Sourcing these unique ingredients was cumbersome, and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains. Simultaneously, more patients were seeking all-natural alternatives, shifting away from pharmaceuticals. Dr. Taimoorazy seized this opportunity and conceived of the idea for MiGuard.
MiGuard is a single nutritional supplement that is 100% natural, vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and gelatin-free. With the formula that he knew was effective, backed by clinical research and his own studies proving its success.
Once MiGuard was selling successfully in the United States, it did not take long for Dr. Taimoorazy's ambition to extend beyond our borders. His desire to help as many people as possible led him to seek assistance from the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship’s Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) at Bradley University under the guidance of Jim Foley, Director of the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship, and Jim Ryan, ITC International Trade Specialist.
Foley adds, "From the first phone call, I knew MiGuard had exceptional export opportunities. They possessed all the characteristics we seek in a new-to-export client: a proven product based on a proprietary formula; a product that addresses a globally growing need, and, most importantly, a founder committed to international growth. We are really excited to see where this goes!"
The ITC’s no-cost, confidential trade assistance played a vital role in navigating the complexities of taking MiGuard to international markets. Dr. Taimoorazy acknowledged the invaluable role the ITC played, especially in the business aspect of his venture, "As a physician... we have no idea how the business world works,” he jokes. “It was really helpful that we could rely on their expertise.”
Dr. Taimoorazy is currently working with Ryan to utilize the Illinois State Trade Export Promotion (ISTEP) program to participate in an Illinois Office of Trade Investment’s trade mission to Arab Health, a major trade show in Dubai this January.
The journey of Dr. Taimoorazy, from healing patients to revolutionizing migraine treatment with MiGuard, is a testament to the power of determination, dedication, and innovation. As migraine sufferers look for natural alternatives with fewer side effects, MiGuard promises to be a welcome solution for those in search of a better quality of life. With the support of Bradley University's resources and a commitment to making a difference, Dr. Taimoorazy is poised to take MiGuard global and change the lives of migraine sufferers around the globe in the process.
