Yoga for Headaches

Headaches can range from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. While most headaches go away quickly after the body’s immediate needs are addressed, other types of headaches, especially migraines, can be chronic and harder to control. Studies have shown that those who suffer from chronic headaches are more likely to find relief from their headaches once they start practicing yoga regularly, or that their pain never recurs.

Fortunately, yoga is one of the best ways to relieve and even cure headaches. A regular yoga practice along with a few lifestyle adjustments can do wonders for overall health with headache relief.

cause of headache

Headaches are caused by bodily imbalances such as B. overheating (for example, spending too much time in the sun), dehydration, poor diet, environmental pollutants, overuse of medications (even over-the-counter or doctor-prescribed), and even vision Poor and so on as astigmatism.

Work stress and certain things you do in your daily life can also cause headaches, which can last from minutes to hours or days.

Difference Between Headaches and Migraines

The pain of a tension or sinus headache often resembles a migraine and, unfortunately, is often misdiagnosed, resulting in ineffective treatment.

Unlike typical headaches, which can also be severe, migraines may be preceded by neurological changes, such as numbness in some areas of the lower back, blurred vision, or trouble speaking.

Migraines also have a more intense throbbing sensation, while the pain of other headaches is often described as pressure. Sensitivity to light, sound, smell, physical activity, and nausea leading to vomiting are associated with migraines but not other types of headaches.

It’s important to distinguish true migraines from other forms of headaches so that appropriate treatment is sought, rather than inadvertently making the condition worse.

General tips for avoiding headaches

A lifestyle that includes regular, moderate exercise, a balanced diet, and a positive attitude can prevent many of the imbalances that lead to chronic pain and disease. Most types of tension headaches are also accompanied by neck and scalp pain. While many factors can contribute to headaches, some general tips can help avoid them.

Stay away from heat sources, especially if it makes you sweat and dehydrate.
Reduce work and family stress.
Reduce screen time on phones and computers, and if you need to be in front of a screen for hours, use a blue light filter or lens.
Sleep regularly, with enough time to go through multiple REM (rapid eye movement) and deep sleep cycles.
Avoid overuse of medications, which can also lead to chronic headaches.

Yoga for Headache Relief

Many people use over-the-counter medications for headaches. But before you hit your pills, try some simple yoga poses to ease headaches and even prevent them from coming back. A gentle hatha yoga practice has been shown to be most beneficial for people with chronic headaches.

Approach all suggested yoga asanas (yoga poses) with mindfulness and focus more on long, deep breaths. Move carefully, gently, and slowly as you switch between each pose, and even try closing your eyes while practicing to keep the practice inside and reduce the amount of distracting, headache-inducing stimuli.

If closing your eyes is difficult at first, choose a point in front of you as your drishti or focal point. Gaze at this point gently. Blink normally, without straining your eyes, eyebrows, or tightening your facial muscles. Keep a smile on your face as you practice to remind yourself to approach poses with joy and mindfulness to heal yourself, rather than performing stunts, strength, or flexibility.

reverse

A yoga handstand is any pose in which the head is positioned below the heart. This includes all variations of Sirsasana (handstand), Sarvangasana (shoulderstand), handstand (Adho Mukha Vrksasana), Pincha Mayurasana (forearm balance) and other arm balance inversions.

But poses that don’t require balancing the feet off the ground are also considered handstands. Asanas like Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog), Uttanasana (Front Bend), Prasarita Uttanasana (Wide Legs Folded Forward), Sasangasana (Rabbit Pose) also place your head below the heart to promote blood flow and relieve headaches.

Be aware that if you have a migraine rather than a tension headache, increased blood flow to the head can make the pain worse. In this case, Balasana (Baby’s Pose) may be the most beneficial yoga pose to remain completely relaxed, reducing external triggers to ease the throbbing pain of a migraine.

The Yin yoga version of Balasana is recommended for headaches. From a kneeling position, sit on your heels and bring your big toes together while spreading your knees almost as far apart as your mat. Move your fingertips forward so your chest touches the floor. When your sit bones start to lose contact with your heels, stop leaning forward. Close your eyes, relax your arms, and stay in Baby’s Pose for three minutes or until you feel relaxed.

If necessary, place a pad or a pile of pillows and a rolled-up blanket to support your torso at a comfortable height.

eye exercises

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