Migraines
I was recently asked what SVA would recommend for migraine headaches. From a preventative perspective the basic principles of good daily routine with regular meals and going to bed on time would apply. And as in all Ayurvedic treatments you treat the patient not the disease. Therefore even though 20 people would have migraine headaches they could have it due to many reasons. It could be either a Vata, Pitta, or Kapha disorder. However it is primarily a Pitta disorder where "the systemic pitta moves into the cardiovascular system, circulates, and affects the blood vessels around the brain" ( from Dr V. Lad )
When reading the medical literature on migraine headaches and the various types and symptoms one can get overwhelmed with the number of types and the methods of treatment. However the primary treatment with pharmaceuticals is by using vasoconstrictors when the acute symptoms arise.
But where would one start if one wanted to try an ayurvedic approach. If migraines are primarily a pitta disorder then we would pacify pitta by reducing the hot sharp qualities of pitta that dilate the blood vessels and create pressure on the nerves causing the pain that is specific to the migraine suffer. We would avoid hot spicy foods with peppers, cayenne, ginger etc, fermented foods such are vinegar, sauerkraut, yogurt, and sour and citrus food.
One other way to avoid aggravating pitta is to stay out of the hot sun - especially direct exposure - so no sun bathing. If you go out in the sun be sure to cover your head and wear sun glasses. Also it would be good to drink pitta pacifying cool drinks.
There are also some special breathing techniques that are cooling - "Shitali Pranayama" It would probably be best to go to a yoga teacher trained in this breath. But simply it is breathing in through a curled tongue or lightly clenched teeth so that you feel the inside of your mouth feeling cool on the in breath and then exhaling through the nose. This type of breathing can cool the whole physiology and is also good for high blood pressure as well as migraines.
This is a quick peak into some ayurvedic recommendations for migraines. However as stated previously Ayurved treats the person and not the disorder so it is best to have a personal consultations with your Ayurvedic practioner.
When reading the medical literature on migraine headaches and the various types and symptoms one can get overwhelmed with the number of types and the methods of treatment. However the primary treatment with pharmaceuticals is by using vasoconstrictors when the acute symptoms arise.
But where would one start if one wanted to try an ayurvedic approach. If migraines are primarily a pitta disorder then we would pacify pitta by reducing the hot sharp qualities of pitta that dilate the blood vessels and create pressure on the nerves causing the pain that is specific to the migraine suffer. We would avoid hot spicy foods with peppers, cayenne, ginger etc, fermented foods such are vinegar, sauerkraut, yogurt, and sour and citrus food.
One other way to avoid aggravating pitta is to stay out of the hot sun - especially direct exposure - so no sun bathing. If you go out in the sun be sure to cover your head and wear sun glasses. Also it would be good to drink pitta pacifying cool drinks.
There are also some special breathing techniques that are cooling - "Shitali Pranayama" It would probably be best to go to a yoga teacher trained in this breath. But simply it is breathing in through a curled tongue or lightly clenched teeth so that you feel the inside of your mouth feeling cool on the in breath and then exhaling through the nose. This type of breathing can cool the whole physiology and is also good for high blood pressure as well as migraines.
This is a quick peak into some ayurvedic recommendations for migraines. However as stated previously Ayurved treats the person and not the disorder so it is best to have a personal consultations with your Ayurvedic practioner.
Comments
Post a Comment