By Bronwyn Ison
More than 45 million Americans suffer from chronic headaches annually. That is approximately one in six people. If we venture into migraines, 18% of woman suffer this malaise and approximately 6% of men. It is one of the country’s biggest healthcare challenges, costing 50 billion per year. Research indicates yoga may be helpful in relieving or eliminating headaches.
Headaches and migraines are entirely different. The difference between migraines and headaches is more than just the severity of the symptoms that accompany a migraine. It is believed that migraines are a central nervous system disorder whereas a headache is pain you feel in your head temporarily. Stress can be a culprit to your headache. Sitting for long periods of time and straining your eyes to look at a computer screen may be the cause for your headache as well. Plus, retaining tension in your neck can result in a headache. Hence, tension-related headaches.
Yoga in almost any form is going to be helpful in reducing or eliminating your headaches. One focus in yoga is to breathe and relax. Incorporating a regular yoga practice with meditation – may change your outlook. It may help you relate to certain circumstances, situations and people in a less stressful manor. Yoga may also help relieve muscle tension in your back, neck and head and this can preclude headaches. With yoga you will learn how to relax those muscles. When you release you can increase your blood flow and this can help your mind relax. In tandem while releasing tension, you are also building strength in specific muscles through your yoga practice. You can be cognizant of these muscles and learn not to tense them and help to prevent a future headache. You may notice that you tense your neck or shrug your shoulders after sitting at your desk after several hours. Early awareness as to what you are doing with your body may really help you.
Here are a couple of postures to consider while you are at work. They are simple and require little effort.
Try a simple seated twist. Stay seated in your chair. You may choose to cross one leg over the other. Plant one foot or both onto the floor. Press down through your buttocks. Take your right arm behind you on the chair and your left hand over your knee ~ twist. Turn your belly to the right on the exhale. Keep your shoulders down and chest open. Relax your jaw and eyes. Hold for 10-15 seconds and breathe evenly. Repeat on the other side.
Grab opposite elbows. Stand with your feet firmly on the earth and hip distance apart. Clasp your elbows behind your back. Stand tall and release your shoulders downward. Turn your head from side to side. Breathe evenly for 10-15 seconds.
The above are two postures that may help you. If you suffer from headaches you should give yoga a chance. If you suffer from chronic stress or have other challenges in your physical or mental life, yoga can be a beautiful venture.
Bronwyn Ison is the owner of Evolve Yoga. For more information,
www.e-volveyoga.com or (760) 564-YOGA (9642)
