Tension headaches are a common ailment among the population. The ever-growing race of life, instabilities in the environment, struggles in career, and personal trials are all reasons for worry. Worries, in turn, lead to tension and pressure. Constant pressure on the body and mind could lead to headaches. Tension headaches may seem like a trivial matter, but they have the potential to affect proper functioning in daily life and tasks. Whenever a headache strikes, our most common go-to solution is to pop up a painkiller. But painkillers are not a long-term solution.
Ayurveda offers reliable solutions for tension headaches. Let’s examine tension headaches in detail.

Causes of Tension Headache

• Hypertension
• Sleep deprivation
• Problems with vision
• Sinusitis
• Hunger
• Frailty
• Exposure to loud music.
• Reading in improper lighting
• Irregular meal timings
• Having incompatible food
• Alcohol use
• Smoking
• Irregular sleep patterns
• Long working hours
• Anger issues
• Work stress
• Improper lifestyle

Symptoms

• Dull and aching pain
• A sensation of pressure on the forehead
• Tenderness in the scalp and neck
• Pain in the shoulder muscles
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Irritability
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Muscle aches
• Trouble focusing

Difference between a Migraine Headache and a Tension Headache

There are many types of headaches but the two most common types are tension headaches and migraines. In both, you will experience similarity in severe pain but symptoms may vary.

Common migraine symptoms are:

• Worse pain on one side of the head
• Pressure and pain behind the eyes
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain that gradually increases with physical activity
• Severe sensitivity to light, sound or smell
• Dizziness

Types of Tension Headaches:

There are two main categories of tension headaches:

Episodic Tension Headaches:

An episodic tension headache can last from 30 minutes to a week. The frequency of episodic tension headaches is less than 15 days per month for at least three months. However, frequent episodic tension-type headaches may become chronic.

Chronic Tension Headaches:

This type of tension headache may persist for hours and may be continuous. A chronic headache occurs 15 or more days a month for at least three months.

Ayurvedic Management for Tension Headaches

The goal of ayurvedic treatment is to restore harmony and balance while maintaining the dosha’s state of health. Through effective tension headache treatment, you can reduce discomfort and lead a normal lifestyle. In order to maintain the balance of your body type, skilled Ayurvedic practitioners at Ayurclinic Melbourne can identify the imbalance of the doshas and provide various Ayurvedic therapies and panchakarma procedures.

Headaches are not seen as a sickness in Ayurveda but rather as a sign of the vitiation of one or more of the doshas, usually Vata, Pitta, or Kapha. So techniques are adopted to balance the doshas and restore the body to its functional capacity.

We have the following Ayurveda Therapies:

Abhyanga:

Warm oil is used during the popular Ayurvedic massage known as abhyanga. Your entire body, from head to toe, is covered in oil. A tension headache may be helped by the massage when it is given to your head. It might ease the strain on the nearby nerves when done to your neck and shoulder.

Nasya:

Nasya is an oil-based medicinal procedure for the head, throat, and nose. To lighten the weight in the head, it offers alleviation through the nose.

There are three different varieties of nasya, namely:

• Virechana
• Brimhana
• Shamana

 Shirodhara:

Warm herbal oils are poured over the head as part of the healing procedure known as Shirodhara. This is done in order to ease stress. Shirodhara offers a calming effect and promotes mental peace. It is a popular Ayurvedic remedy for tension headaches, sleeplessness, anxiety, and high blood pressure.

Shirolepa:

In this process, herbal pastes are applied over the scalp and forehead to reduce the tension headache

Apart from these, herbal preparations are prescribed based on the ailment and the patient’s body constitution. It is also recommended to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle for a healthy life.

Shirovasti:

In this procedure, a small leather vessel in the shape of a cap is placed on top of the head.

Herbal oil is poured slowly and steadily poured inside the vessel so that it stays within and warms the head. This therapy is extremely effective in cases of headaches, migraine, and stress.

Diet and Lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle can promote good overall health. It also may help prevent all types of headaches, including tension-type headaches. Here are some tips:

• Take meals at the right time
• Maintain a proper sleep cycle
• Relax and take short breaks in between intervals
• Listen to soothing music
• Include warm fluids and food items in your daily routine
• Avoid refrigerated food items
• Enjoy a warm shower
• Do not read or write under a dim light
• Head oil massage should be practiced at least twice a week
• Avoid long-time exposure to cold wind, mist, and sun
• Do practice mild exercises to relieve stress over neck and shoulder muscles
• Quit smoking and alcohol

Yoga and Meditation

Meditation helps relax both your body and mine. Make it a habit to meditate and practice breathing techniques daily.

Yoga therapy is very beneficial for controlling Tension headaches. Practice the following asanas regularly:

• Marjariasana
• Ardha Pincha Mayurasana
• Balasana
• Supta Virasana
• Paschimottanasana
• Setu Bandhasana
• Viparita Karani
• Shavasana

Take Away

Ayurveda identifies the primary cause of a headache, whether genetics or environmental factors, and then recommends the most effective natural remedies for treating different types of headaches. Therefore, rather than depending on painkillers, which can be extremely harmful to the body, wisely choose an Ayurvedic migraine medication made entirely from natural ingredients.

In addition, the best treatments for tension headaches can be a healthy lifestyle and reducing stress.

For more information on tension headache management, call us @ +61 3 9078 2940 and Book an appointment with our Ayurveda doctors today!