Curing Headaches With Yoga

Introduction:

Migraine is a neurological disorder that causes a headache, and it ranges from moderate to high intensity. It can affect one-half of the head and will last up to two hours to two days. People having migraines are often sensitive to light. Other symptoms like nausea and vomiting can also be seen along with migraine. There are various medications to treat headaches and migraines, including arterial surgery, muscle surgery, beta-blockers, antidepressants, etc., but these medications are associated with various side effects like hypertension, insomnia, heart attack, etc. Yoga is a natural way to reduce migraine and headaches in people without any side effects. Yoga includes various breathing techniques along with a combination of postures. Blood vessels dilate during a headache or migraine. By doing yoga, there is an increased blood flow to the head through certain poses, which is done by lifting the head above the chest level.

Which Are the Yoga Poses That Help in Reducing Headaches?

Various yoga poses help in the relief of headaches. The yoga poses that help reduce headaches or migraines include the following

1. Hastapadasana or standing forward bend.

2. Setu bandh asana or bridge pose.

3. Shishuasana or child pose.

4. Marjariasana or cat stretch.

5. Paschimottanasana or two-legged forward bend.

6. Adho mukha svanasana or downward facing dog pose.

7. Padmasana or lotus pose.

8. Viparita Karani or legs up the wall pose.

9. Shavasana or corpse pose.

How Are the Yoga Poses That Help in Reducing Headaches Performed?

The yoga poses that help reduce headaches or migraines are -

• Hastapadasana or Standing Forward Bend - Stand straight on the floor, keeping the feet apart at the hip width. Slowly bend forward by touching the palms of the hands to the floor while making head contact with the knees. Try to touch the back of the ankle. Repeat these steps five to ten times. This yoga helps increase blood supply to the nervous system and calm the mind.

• Setu Bandhasana or Bridge Pose - Lie down on the floor in a supine position. Keep the leg straight on the floor and the hand beside the body on both sides. Bend the knees and slowly raise the hip and the pelvic region from the floor to make an arch. Support by using the neck, shoulder, and only feet. Keep the feet perpendicular to the floor and cross the arms each other below the hip. Continue in this position for some time and return to normal position. Repeat these steps five to ten times. This pose will help in reducing anxiety and calm down the brain.

• Shishuasana or Child Pose - Start from the tabletop position by keeping the hands below the shoulder and knees below the hip. Sit on the knees by keeping both hands supported on the knees. Slowly bend forward by touching the chest on the knees and keeping the head on the floor. Keep both hands forward, stretching above the head on the floor. Continue in this position for a few seconds and return to normal. Repeat these steps five to ten times. Child pose helps reduce pain and calm down the nervous system.

• Marjariasana or Cat Stretch - Start from the tabletop by keeping the hands and knees on the floor. Keep the tip of the feet touching the floor. Slowly keep the tailbone inwards, keeping the stomach upwards. Make an arch using the spine while looking down at the floor. This cat stretch helps in increasing blood circulation and also helps in the relaxation of the mind and the body.

• Paschimottanasana or Two-Legged Forward Bend - Sit straight on the floor by keeping both legs stretched forward. Keep the spine erect and both arms beside the body. Slowly bend forward towards the knee while the head touches the knees. Touch the ankle by using the arms on both sides. Continue in this position for a few seconds and return to normal. Repeat these steps five to ten times while taking deep breaths. The two-legged forward bent helps reduce headaches by calming the brain and reducing stress.

• Adho Mukha Svanasana or Downward Facing Dog Pose - Downward facing dog pose starts from the tabletop position by keeping both the hands and knees on the floor. Keep the feet and hands wide apart from each other. Slowly raise the knees from the floor by making the leg straight and make an inverted ‘V’ shape to the floor by keeping the body and leg straight. Return to the normal position and repeat the steps five to ten times. This pose helps increase blood circulation to the upper body and brain, thus relieving headaches.

• Padmasana or Lotus Pose - Sit straight on the floor, keeping both legs cross-legged. Place both hands above the knees of the leg and keep the spine straight. This pose helps reduce headaches.

• Shavasana or Corpse Pose - Lie down straight on the floor in the supine position. Place both hands beside the body and keep the leg straight and stretched. Relax the body and mind, take deep breaths, and focus on each part of the body, including the region where the pain is present. Continue to relax in this position for a minimum of five minutes. This helps in a deep meditative state by reducing stress and anxiety in the mind and the body.

• Viparita Karani or Legs up the Wall Pose - Sit straight on the floor facing a wall. Slowly lie back on the floor. Then stretch the legs up in the wall, keeping the feet on the wall. Keep the arms stretched out perpendicular to the body on both sides. This legs-up-the-wall pose helps increase blood circulation to the brain and thus decreases headaches and migraine.

Conclusion:

Headaches and migraines can cause unbearable pain and affect a person's personal and professional life. Unfortunately, yoga cannot be considered a substitute for drugs that will reduce migraine. However, yoga helps reduce the severity and frequency of headaches and migraines. Yoga will help in reducing the pain caused due to migraine and headaches and can be used along with other medication suggested by a doctor. Practicing yoga regularly can remove migraine or headaches permanently from life.