Migraines And Headaches

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Eliot

The Ayurvedic history of migraines dates back to 6000 BC when Ayurveda originated from Divinities as an oral tradition. First documented evidence of headache can be found in the ancient Vedic texts like Ashtanga Hridayam, Charaka Samhita, and Sushruta Samhita which is termed Sirasoola and we can find a description of its different types and clinical subtypes. Though Hippocrates defined headaches in 400 B.C.E.

Please Mind Your Head!

Headache has been ranked as the second leading cause of disorders by the global burden of disease studies because it affects the normal and work life, increases absenteeism causes social and economic burdens making them disabled. Migraine comes in the third position affecting the people in the age group between 20 to 50 years. Based on the studies, there can be up to three million migraine sufferers in the UK and up to seven million tension-type headache sufferers. At least one migraine-suffering person is present in one-fourth of the houses in the UK. Proper history, CT, or MRI will help in reaching a causative factor of headache.

Headaches can be structural, physiological, or psychological. Though it may cause physical, emotional, and economic burdens proper guidance is less sought. Structural headaches are mainly due to space-occupying lesions/tumors, inflammatory responses, or increased intracranial pressure. Among them, some can be dangerous and life-threatening. About 90% of the headaches are physiological or psychological and they are classified under primary type in clinical medicine. They can be like cluster headaches, tension headaches, migraine, and Trigeminal neuralgia.

Migraines can be unilateral, lasting from several hours to 3 days, preceded with or without aura and sensitivity to light; sound and pain. It will be of moderate to severe type and will be relieved on vomiting. Many of you can have an evident family history. If left untreated it may lead to serious complications. 

Cluster headaches are usually unilateral around one eye lasting about 4 hours and the patient will be active. 

Trigeminal neuralgic patients will be having shooting pain in the face. 

Tension headaches are one of the other most common types with squeezing pain and pressure on both sides of the head and neck and people rarely seek medical advice. 

Sinus headaches usually have pain behind the forehead and cheekbones.

Some other types of primary headaches are cough headache, exertional headache, headache associated with sexual activity, medication overuse headache, and dull headaches which develops only during sleep.

Ayurvedic management of Migraine and other headaches at Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic

Ayurveda understands migraine as a reflection of poor metabolism associated with the accumulation of toxins leading to an imbalance of doshas. Vata is heavily imbalanced and disturbs Pitta and Kapha as well as per your body’s conditions. The preventive treatment for migraine at Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic helps in reducing the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine attacks. At Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic, tailored plans will be recommended to address migraine from root causes after a detailed assessment via consultation by Ayurvedic experts.

Diet and Lifestyle

Following Ayurvedic concepts of Dinacharya (daily regimen) and Ritucharya (seasonal regimen) will help to maintain the body’s homeostasis and neurological balance as there can be involvement of multiple Doshas. Since neurotransmitters play a major role in the formation of migraines and headaches, it is necessary to maintain a perfect gut and healthy nervous system.

Eat a healthy diet without skipping meals. Include soups and salads in your diet. Reduce sour foods and hot spices. Foods prepared using immunomodulatory medicinal herbs like garlic; Cinnamons and Ginger tend to reduce the intensity of headaches. Use rock salt instead of sea salt. Drink Plenty of Juices especially, coconut water. Abstain from smoking and drinking for better neuronal health. Walk at least 30 minutes a day. Listen to nice music for 15 minutes every day. Always sleep early and wake up early, avoid mobiles at bedtime, especially during sleep, and if you are the kind of person keeping mobiles under your pillow your brain will suffer because research studies show that due to hypersensitivity of several brain areas to these triggering factors knowingly or unknowingly initiating stimuli may initiate a migraine attack.

Always note the triggering factors of the disease. A headache diary should always be maintained. Migraines always need immediate treatment before it becomes full-blown. Treatment should start when the prodromal symptoms start so that it will never lead to intolerable pain. Keeping an eye on hormonal fluctuations will help in taking necessary precautions. Minimize the use of pain killers. Relaxing techniques should be practiced. Regular head and shoulder massages with medicated herbal oils are of great help in headaches. Avoid sleeping during the daytime.

So it’s time to refresh your Brain!!!!

Panchakarma treatment is inevitable in this condition as it provides you with the safest mode of herbal relief. Specially processed herbal Ghee can be taken under the supervision of an Ayurvedic consultant. Purgation (Virechana) once a month can help in the elimination of toxins and improve gut-brain interaction. Steam baths with different types of herbal steams will help release toxins.

Once your toxins are released it’s time to revitalize. Following the preventive and curative principles of Ayurveda do Nasya (the nasal detox) regularly or as sessions followed by herbal smoke with incense made of purifying herbs. Nasya helps to protect, stabilize and strengthen sensory organs, shoulders, chest, skin, and neck. Circulation and blood flow are the undebatable factors needed to keep a healthy brain which is possible through leech therapy. Shirodhara the streaming of warm herbal oil at the third eye helps to relax the body deeply and reduce stress thereby reducing the frequency of migraines.

Follow Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic’s time-tested formula for Migraine. Feel yourself revitalised. Find the better you with the ancient wisdom