Yoga Techniques for Headache

A headache is a condition of a pain in the head, generalized start as vague pain, build up to a throbbing pain, associated with anorexia, nausea, vomiting photo phobia.

CLASSIFICATION:

There are five types of headache:

• Vascular
• Myogenic
• Cervicogenic
• Traction 
• Inflammatory

VASCULAR:

• The most common type of vascular headache is migraine. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head, an upset stomach and disturbed vision. It is more common in women. After migraine, the most common type of vascular headache is the toxic headache produced by fever.
• Migraine results from abnormal vascular phenomena. Recurrent attacks of head ache varied in intensity, frequency duration. Commonly unilateral in onset and usually associated with anorexia, sometimes with nausea and vomiting. Some are associated with sensory and motor disturbances.

 MYOGENIC:

• Headaches appear to involve the tightening or tensing of facial and neck muscles, they may radiate to the forehead. Tension headache is the most common form of myogenic headache.

CARCINOGENIC:

• Headaches originate from disorder of the neck, are often precipitated by neck movement or sustained awkward head positioning. 

TRACTION AND INFLAMMATORY:

• Headaches are symptoms of other disorders, ranging from stroke to sinus infection. Traction headache is due to intracranial, anemia, carbon dioxide poisoning toxins, fever and constipation.

CAUSES:

• Trauma, intracranial inflammation, hypertension, anemia, tobacco, referred pain due to eye disorders like of error of refraction, glaucoma, ear disorder, nerve tension, teeth disorders. Prolonged fasting causing low blood pressure. Prolonged exposure to bright light. Particular food like cheese, chocolates, citrus fruits, coffee and changes in the degree of stress.

SIGN AND SYMPTOMS:

• Headache associated with specific symptoms may warrant urgent medical attention, particularly sudden. severe headache ore sudden headache associated with a stiff neck. Fever, convulsions, loss of consciousness, associated with pain in the eye or ear. Nausea, disturbed vision, excessive energy, depression or lethargy.
• Loss of sensation or weakness of one half of the body may be experienced or they may lose up to half an hour. It is followed by the actual pain of the headache which usually begins in one spot and subsequent involves the whole of one or occasionally both sides of the head.

IAYT SPECIAL TECHNIQUES FOR HEADACHE;

LOOSENING BREATHING EXERCISES:

• Loosening of fingers
• Loosening of wrists
• Loosening of elbows
• Shoulder rotation
• Neck bending
• Neck rotation
• Padasanchalana breathing                          
• Hands stretch breathing
• Tiger breathing
• Shasankasana breathing
• Twisting
• Quick Relaxation Technique

YOGASANA:

• Suryanamaskara (12 counts)
• Ardha cakrasana
• Pada hastasana
• Trikonasana
• Bhujangasana
• Shalabasana
• Vakrasana or Ardha matsyasandrasana
• Ustrasana
• Shavasana

PRANAYAMA:

• Kapalabhati

• Sectional breathing at 4 stages
• Chandra anuloma pranayama
• Nadishuddi
• Sitkari or Sitali 
• Sadanta 

MEDITATION:

• Nadanusandana 
• OM meditation

Note :

•  It is very important to take the guidance of a yoga expert or doctor before  practising yoga therapy session.
• Avoid supine postures and Dhanurasana.
• Severe cases of head ache and neck pain should avoid extreme forward bending.

Reference :

• Booklet of yoga practices written by Dr. R. Nagarathna and Dr. H. R. Nagendra (SVYASA)