What Is Migraine

Migraine affects millions of people all over the world. Migraines are particularly prevalent among women. A migraine is a vascular headache that is the result of inflammation and irritation of nerve endings in the surface of ones brain. Migraine attacks are known to be accompanied by mood changes (normally depression) nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or seeing spots. You may feel the pain either on one or both sides of your head, sometimes even at the back of your neck, around the region of your eyes, face, and sinus. The pain resulting from migraine attacks is known to be rather severe and debilitates the victim for 4 – 72 hours. Migraine headaches are often heralded by sensory warning sign like flashes of light or blind spots. Many people report feeling a tingling in a leg or arm. Unfortunately, medical science has still found no cure for migraines. There are however medications that help lessen both the intensity and frequency of migraine attacks.

Migraine attacks have triggers that vary from individual to individual, which also means that avoidance of these triggers is the best way to address the problem. Factors that trigger attacks include certain foodstuffs, stress, weather changes, powerful lights, fragrances and odors, alteration of place and sleeping habits, certain medicines, as well as hormonal changes in the body. Even certain imbalances in brain chemicals like magnesium, serotonin, estrogen and progesterone are known to trigger migraine attacks. Some common triggers that you can consider avoiding are caffeinated drinks, alcohol, nuts, pickled or smoked foods, and certain other foods. One factor that can trigger migraines is stress and fatigue, both physical and mental or emotional. Meditation techniques like yoga can come in very handy here.

Remedy To Cure Migraine Through Yoga

The following Yoga program is known to help relieve and, in the long run, if practiced diligently and regularly, even eradicate the Migraine problem completely:

Asanas (Yoga poses)

Standing: Tadasana (Mountain Pose), Pada Hastasana (Hands to Feet Pose), Ardha Chandrasana (Crescent Moon Pose), Trikonasana (Triangle Pose), Padmasana (Lotus Pose), Stand Spread Leg Forward Fold, Standing Side Stretch Pose

Supine: Single Leg Raises, Double Leg Raise, Single and Double Leg Reclining Lunge Pavanamuktasana (Wind Relieving Pose)

Prone: Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

Seated: Balasana (Child Pose ), Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend)

Twist Yoga Poses: Marichyasana (Sage Marichi Pose)

Final Relaxation: Shavasana (Corpse Pose)

The Pranayama (breathing exercises) include:

• Mild Kapalabhati (Skull Cleansing)

• Anuloma Viloma (Alternate Nostril Breathing)

Also pay attention to your diet. As far as possible follow a Sattvic (pure and simple) predominantly Yogic Diet low in spices and rich in fruits and vegetables.