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Ayurveda comprehensively promotes mind-body medicine and therefore influences physiological processes, that include autonomic modulation to control migraine. This article is about Migraine Headaches treatment in Ayurveda.
The ayurvedic regime in the treatment of migraine headaches involves- the elimination of vitiated Kapha Dosha, which helps in preventing the forthcoming Kapha and Pitta disorders.
Ayurveda describes headache as a symptom of various diseases and also as an independent disease entity.
Vata Pitta symptoms are evident in all the phases of migraine-
*Prodrome Phase: constipation, mood changes, food cravings, stiff neck, etc.
*The Aura Phase: bright spots or flashes of light, vision loss, pins and needles sensations, weakness or numbness, hearing noises.
*Attacking Phase: pain on one side or both sides of your head, throbbing or pulsing pain, sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision and lightheadedness.
*Postdrome Phase: confusion, mood swings, dizziness, weakness, sensitivity to light and sound.
It is essential to reduce the common causes of Vata and Pitta imbalance while handling migraine headaches. Reduce the intake of spicy, sour, bitter and astringent taste, exposure to extreme cold/hot conditions, exertion, keeping awake at nights, suppression of hunger and urges, stress, smoking and exposure to strong smells.
Ayurveda offers a traditional strategy in the management of migraine headaches, which includes medicines, ghee, milk boiled with herbs and tonics.
There are many ways in which Ayurveda can bring balance to life and treat the root cause of migraines. Some integrative therapies help manage migraine headaches, such as—
- Diet therapy
*Dosha specific Nutrition– Depending on the Dosha (s) involved in the problem–the patient must be advised to eat a diet that pacifies- the aggravated Dosha.
*Avoid or minimise migraine triggering foods– Migraine trigger foods can be different in every individual and finding these trigger foods can help to reduce migraine headaches
- Lifestyle modifications
Migraine (Ardhavabhedaka)–can be prevented by following a healthy lifestyle, at all times. Getting enough sleep, maintaining proper food habits and avoiding migraine triggers can reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. Some of these healthy lifestyles include a proper diet and exercise routine, night’s sleep, a morning routine, & a low-stress lifestyle.
- Massage Therapy
Massage and Stretching Exercises can help minimise the severity and frequency of migraine headaches. Migraineurs must get proper sleep.
- Yoga
Since stress is an essential factor in forming migraine headaches, yoga without a doubt can help in preventing these types of problems. Yoga can also relieve tension in the muscles of the neck, back, and head, which contributes to headaches. Yoga can help to release tight muscles and improve blood circulation in that region. Yoga helps relax the mind as well.
- Meditation
Stress is a significant contributor to both tension and migraine headaches. Reciting mantras and doing meditation can reduce stress.
- Herbal therapy
A mix of herbal essential oils can help with the problem. Peppermint Essential Oil and balm can help with migraines.
- Pranayama:
Various breathing exercises have different effects on the body, mind, and spirit. Breathing practices purify the Nadis, the subtle channels that carry Prana through the field of the mind.
If the headache is because of Vata vitiation, one can benefit from alternate nostril breathing (Anuloma Viloma). If the problem is due to pitta vitiation, performing lunar and Shitali pranayama can help, and if it’s due to Kapha dosha vitiation, solar and kapalabhati pranayama can be beneficial.
- Soothing nose drops (Nasya):
Putting about five drops of Brahmi ghee in each nostril can ease the pain of migraine headaches. In Vata type headaches, placing 3-5 drops of warm ghee in each nostril can help to calm down the trouble.
Many of these integrative therapies help and are effective but should be taken with the advice of the expert or an Ayurveda Expert.
At Madras Institute of Ayurveda [MIA], Chennai, care begins with an accurate diagnosis, based on which the experts create a patient-specific treatment plan to treat the disease and not just the symptoms. MIA, Vadapalani, Chennai provides services for Migraine Headaches treatment in Ayurveda
MIA is centre of Ayurvedic medicine and treatment in Chennai, where age-old tradition meets modern techniques, ranging from Panchakarma treatment to rejuvenation treatment. With facilities for a whole range of ayurvedic treatments, with the highest standards and most beautiful traditions dating back to Vedic times, MIA has outpatient and in-patient services.
So, log onto www.miayurveda.org to learn more.
