Migraine or headaches are amongst the common problems amongst people in this fast pacing world. It is one of the severe problems that is triggered by stress, exertion, anxiety, excessive heat, imbalanced eating, and so on.
Migraine and headaches are very common and people usually take pain killers for relief. But there is a better medicine-free way to cure headaches and migraines and that is yoga. There is a special yoga for migraine that has proven to be immensely effective.
Migraine Problem and The Causes
Scientifically, migraine is a neurological condition which causes moderate to high-intensity headache. But the pain attacks only one of the two halves of the head. It is a severe headache that can last from 2hrs to up to more than two days.
The migraine patient becomes sensitive to light and sound. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and intense pain. The major causes of migraines are indigestion, stress, imbalanced lifestyle, loud sound, or intense light.
Yogic Way to Treat Migraine Headache
The majority of migraine patients tend to reach out to their prescribed pain killer as soon as they are hit by the migraine attack. But here is a piece of good news for all those pain sufferers, yoga is also a way to treat migraine.
But is yoga for headache relief is helpful? The answer is yes, there are special yoga poses for migraines as suggested by yogic experts. It is believed that performing these yogic poses thrice a week can be extremely beneficial.
Here is the list of some of the many poses specially designed to encounter the problem of migraine:
Hastapadasana or uttanasana (standing forward bend)
It is one of the simplest poses that are effective at the beginning with performing yoga for migraine issues. This pose invigorates the nervous system by increasing the blood supply and also calms the mind. All you have to do is stand with feet shoulder length apart, bend forward relaxing your head towards the floor.
Hold opposite elbows while softening your knees and just relax your head and neck completely. Do not forget to breather soothingly while you hold this pose for about a minute or two.
Remember, breathing plays a vital role in performing any of the yogic exercises. It is very important to concentrate on your breathing.
Migraine ProblemShishuasana (child pose)
It is amongst the relaxing poses of yogic exercises. It *calms the body and the nervous system effectively.
Migraine problem is largely related to stress and exertion so performing this yogic exercise calms the body, hence, relaxing the migraine pain.
Sit on your heels while relaxing your hips on it. And then lower your forehead till it touches the mat. Let the arms rest alongside your body keeping your hands on the floor and palm facing upwards. Gently press your chest on the thighs while breathing normally.
Migraine ProblemViparita Karani (legs up the wall)
It is a little complex but highly effective pose. It must be done on the place near to the wall with softness and very slowly. It gently stretches the muscles of your neck and relaxes you at the same time.
Slowly sit on the edge of the mat and extend your legs up the wall. Make sure your hips rest on the wall and rest your hands on the belly. Close your eyes and breathe gently. Hold this position for about 3 to 10 minutes. It must be added to your special yoga for migraine routine.
Migraine ProblemAdho Mukho Savasana
Also known as the mountain pose, it is one of the major asanas of yoga with vital benefits. This pose helps to relieve fatigue, back pain, migraine pain, and stiffness. It also ensures better blood flow in the skull hence helping with the headaches or migraines.
Standing on one end of the mat, keep your feet apart then bend towards the other end of the mat making a mountain shape. Let your head rest between the shoulders facing downwards. Take usual breathes while performing this pose for about a minute. It is one of the best yoga poses for migraine issues.
Migraine ProblemPaschimuttanasana (two-leg forward bend)
This pose helps in calming the brain cells and also relieves stress. Thus, it helps greatly with headaches and migraine pain. Sit upright on the mat stretching your leg forward. Then take a breath and while releasing the breath, bend forward with your hands up in the air. Hold your toe tip and rest your forehead on your knees. Holding this pose for about a minute while taking gentle breaths helps greatly.
Migraine ProblemPadmasana (lotus pose)
This is the most basic and the first pose to yogic therapy. Simply sitting crossing your legs with your back straight and hands on your knees provides the utmost relaxation to the mind and the body and also counters headaches.
This pose is more effective if done with closed eyes and deep concentration on the breathing. It can be done anytime in the day for about 5minutes.
Migraine ProblemShavasana (corpse pose)
This yoga for migraine rejuvenates tired body and mind and mind. It helps a person to relax completely and calm down the nerves if performed correctly.
By performing this deep meditative pose, one can get relief from headaches, migraines and any stress-related problems. This is the last pose that must be done after following any yogic routine.
Just lie down straight with your hands on the side and hands facing upwards. Feel the energy in your body and keep your eyes closed. Take normal breaths but concentrate on each inhale and exhale. It is also the first step to any meditation routine.
Migraine ProblemAlong with the above-mentioned yoga for migraine relief, make it a routine to stretch your neck in all the directions after doing any work or after any physical activity. Stiffness in the skull area is the major cause of pain is important to perform stretches to keep the muscles active.
Also Read; Must Keep Essentials In Your Migraine Relief Kit
