���ϳԹ���

As per the World Health Organisation, about 14-15% of the global population experiences migraines, which makes it one of the most common neurological disorders. If you suffer from migraines, you know how these serious headaches can disrupt your daily life by causing pain, nausea and sensitivity to sound and light.

Even though there are medicines that can help control migraines, they have unwanted side effects and are not suitable for everyone. This is why many people seek natural remedies for migraine.

In this blog, we will learn about Ayurvedic head massage, which is a natural treatment for migraine pain. We will also talk about effective strategies and benefits and see how adding this practice to your daily routine can provide relief from migraines.

Difference between Headache and Migraine

For common people, it can be tough to tell if what they are experiencing is a normal headache or if it is something more serious like a migraine. Both these conditions involve head pain but have distinct causes, symptoms and treatments.

What is a Headache?

A headache is described as a general ache in the head, face, or lower neck. There are many types of headaches, like tension type headaches, cluster headaches, or sinus headaches. The most common type is tension headaches, which feels like there is a tight band around your head. These can get triggered by anxiety, insomnia or bad posture.

What is a Migraine?

A migraine is a neurological disorder which produces sharp, shooting pain, typically on one side of the head. Migraines are usually associated with other symptoms like nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to sound and light. You may also experience visual disturbances called auras before a migraine strikes. Reasons for your migraines can include stress, hormonal changes, some foods and even environmental conditions.

Key Difference Between Headache and Migraine

Though headaches and migraines both involve head pain, migraines are typically more serious and severe. Headaches are less frequent and in most cases lack the secondary symptoms of migraines. Let us understand the difference between headache and migraine in this table below:

What is an Ayurvedic Head Massage?

Ayurveda head massage or Shiro Abhyanga is a therapeutic form based on Ayurveda wellness methods. This is a technique which improves both physical and mental health.

The Roots of Ayurvedic Head Massage for Migraine

Shiro Abhyanga originated over 5,000 years ago as a part of Ayurveda or the science of life. It generally includes rubbing, kneading and tapping of the head, shoulders and neck using chosen herbal oils. These oils are selected according to your body type (your ‘Prakriti’ and 'dosha' in Ayurveda). This customisation makes the massage soothing and particularly beneficial for meeting individual health needs.

Unlike regular remedies which concentrate on symptom relief, Ayurvedic methods concentrate on balancing the body’s energy system. In Ayurveda, it is believed that imbalances of the body's natural energies lead to health issues like migraines and headaches. Addressing these imbalances helps to reduce the pain and decreases severity and frequency of headaches.

In this massage, light strokes and pressure are applied at designated points on the head to:

• Stimulate blood flow to the brain
• Lower stress and promote relaxation.
• Detoxify the body by boosting lymphatic drainage.

Is Ayurvedic Head Massage for Migraine Helpful in Relieving Pain?

When you suffer from migraine pain, it can feel like even simple tasks are too much to handle. Ayurvedic head massage for migraine treats the root causes of energy imbalances within your body based on Ayurvedic principles.

Targeting Doshas Linked to Migraines

As per Ayurveda, imbalances of 2 primary doshas are believed to trigger migraines: Vata & Pitta. Vata governs your movement and functionality and Pitta controls your metabolism and energy production. When these doshas are out of balance, they trigger different health issues like migraines.

• Vata imbalance causes dryness and irregularity, leading to symptoms like intense throbbing pain.
• Pitta imbalance may result in excessive heat and inflammation, leading to intense burning or piercing headache pain.

Ayurvedic head massage techniques are used to soothe these imbalances. When you massage your head and neck using Ayurvedic herbal oils and soft, calming strokes, it helps to stabilise your body’s energies.

What Techniques Are Used for Ayurvedic Head Massage?

For doing Ayurvedic head massage, different methods are used to ease migraines and balance your body’s doshas. Let us now take a look at the three Ayurvedic head massage techniques which can help alleviate migraine pain:

Shirodhara : In Shirodhara, a steady stream of warm herbal oil is poured gently over your forehead, specifically over the third eye area. This continual flow induces a deep state of relaxation and mental calmness. Shirodhara is particularly good if you are suffering from migraine as it helps reduce stress and tension, which are known to be common triggers for migraine attacks.
Abhyanga : Abhyanga is a full-body massage using large quantities of warm oils, with particular techniques for the head and scalp. This particular massage technique boosts blood and lymph circulation, detoxifies the body and also reduces inflammation, which is a common reason for migraine pain. During Abhyanga, rhythmic strokes and pressure are applied which help to relax tense muscles across the head and neck.
Nasya : Nasya treatment involves the application of herbal oils or powders through the nasal passages. This technique is particularly helpful for sinus or Kapha imbalances associated with migraines (like congestion, heaviness in the head). Nasya clears the sinuses and eases pain and pressure caused by migraines.

Which Herbal Oils Are Best for Migraines?

During Ayurvedic head massage, the herbal oils that you choose are very important. These chosen oils address specific doshic imbalances which are the trigger for migraines. The best oils for doing Ayurvedic head massage are:

Sesame Oil: A grounding oil, ideal for calming Vata-associated migraines characterised by dryness and erratic pain.
Brahmi Oil: Brahmi oil is cooling and relieves Pitta-associated migraines which result in serious, intense burning.
Coconut Oil: Another cooling oil which balances Pitta and is useful in hot climates or seasons.
Mustard Oil: Good for Kapha imbalances, mustard oil is helpful for relieving congestion and heaviness related to migraines.

Pro Tip: Deciding on Oils Based On Your Symptoms

For choosing the best oil for addressing your migraine pain, consider the nature of your pain and accompanying symptoms. For throbbing pain caused by movement, try grounding oils like sesame. Cooling oils like Brahmi or coconut help with migraines that have a burning sensation. Warm oils like mustard could help if your migraines include sinus congestion.

Final Thoughts

When you choose to heal your migraine using Ayurveda, it opens up a fresh approach to deal with your pain and prevent it from happening again and again. Including Ayurvedic head massage into your routine, along with complementary practices such as yoga, meditation, and mindful dietary choices, can bring you closer to better health and complete well-being.

If you have more questions about your health, do not hesitate to consult our Jiva certified doctors on 0129-4264323