Tag Archive for: Ayurveda

migraine?

Migraine Headaches – Alternative Therapies!

Migraine Headache is a pulsating and a painful experience for the sufferers. All over the world, this type of Headache is prevalent. About 1 billion people get attacks of Migraine Headache in their life, of them 18% are women and 6% are men. Studies show that the 3rd most prevalent neurological disease in the world is Migraine. Alternative Medical Services like Yoga, Ayurveda and Homeopathy offer good relief from this throbbing pain experience by their remedies and therapies.

What is Migraine?

Migraine is a severe head-pain triggered by certain specific changes within the brain. Oftentimes Migraine Headache is felt on one side of the head – barring some unusual cases feeling it on both sides. This headache is caused as an “attack” with a frequency differing from person to person.

During the attack of Migraine, the sufferer will feel immense pain in the head, clubbed with eye-pain, visual disturbances, dizziness, vomiting, nausea and extreme sensitivity to light, sound, smell and touch, and tingling or numbness over the facial muscles. Depending on the severity of the attack, it may last from 4 to 72 hours. Any physical activity can aggravate the pain and the sufferer would like to curl in the bed mostly.

Causes:

Medical fraternity has not found out yet the exact cause of Migraine Headaches. So far Researches have identified the stimuli or triggers that are capable of aggravating Migraine attacks. These are – mental stress; working at places of heavy noise, light, smell and other environmental pollution; atmospheric pressure at a given point (weight of air); normal hormone fluctuations with menstrual cycles in women; oral contraceptive pills; and some foods and beverages like Alcohol etc.

Symptoms:

As discussed earlier, Migraine is entirely different from headaches commonly experienced by all of us. The head-splitting pain will be felt on one side of the head. Eye-pain will be generally prevalent. Dizziness, vomiting sensation, and nausea will be there. The patient will shun away from light and sound and any other physical activity, to get the pain reduced to some extent.

Normally, most of the patients will get an “indication” of the Migraine attack. This is described as “aura” – a specific neurological symptom – where some visual disturbance, an obscure vision or a blind spot in the visual field temporarily which the patient experiences.

Solutions:

Migraine Headache is a disorder connected with the brain and neurological system. Temporary relief can be achieved through Allopathic medicines that can subside or cause numbness to pain for a temporary relief. Considering other therapies that can provide lasting results may help in the long run. Some of those therapies are:

Yoga:

Yoga is the Art of Living Life with physical, mental and spiritual health. For patients suffering from Migraine Headache, Yoga offers effective Yogasana poses for holistic living through a combination of postures and breathing techniques, to cleanse the body, mind and spirit. The suggested Yogasanas for Migraine are – Hastapadasana (Standing Forward bend); Setu Bandasana (Bridge Pose); Shishuvasana (Child Pose); Marjariasana (Cat Pose); Paschimottanasana (Two Legged Forward bend); Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward facing Dog pose); Padmasana (Lotus Pose); and Savasana (Corpse Pose).

You can learn the above Asanas first from expert Yoga Masters, and then practice them daily to get relief from Migraine Headache.

Ayurveda:

The ancient Indian Medical Science Ayurveda describes Migraine as “Sooryavarta” caused by excessive stimulation of brain and blood vessels. Patients are advised complete change of lifestyles, triggering food items and taking Ayurvedic therapies such as – Shirolepa application of herbal pastes; Shiro Dhara – pouring of medicated liquid over the head; Taila dhara with oils; Ksheera Dhara (cows milk); Takra Dhara (buttermilk) etc.

Also the patient is treated with Kavla Graha (oil pulling); Shirovasti retaining medicated oils over the scalp; Sneha Nasya – instigation of oils through nostrils; Shatbindu taila; Anu taila application etc. Special herbs and Ayurvedic medicines such as Pathyadi Khada; Shirosooladhi vajra rasa; Bhoonimpadi Khada; Kamadhuga rasa; Chandrakala Rasa and Godhanti Bhasma are very effective for curing Migraine.

Homeopathy:

Homeopathy is an Alternative Medical Service that a person with migraine headache can consider. Homeopathic Physicians first ascertain the real cause of the Migraine, as it varies from person to person. They assert that Migraine is triggered by muscle tension in the head.

As such, depending upon the cause of Migraine, Homeopathy has lots of different medications such as – Nux vomica; Brayonia; Ant Crud; Calc. Phoc., Silicia; Belladona; Lachesis and Kali Bichrom etc. Consult an experienced Homeopathic practitioner to come up with suitable combinations per the individual needs.

To find some of the providers that can help with Migraine Headaches, visit: https://www.vydya.com/service/migraine.htm