Shiro Roga Chikitsa (Headache Clinic)

The brain is the centre for registering sensations, correlating them with each other, storing information, making decisions and taking actions. It is the centre for all vital activities of the body such as respiration, vision, speech and locomotion. It also controls intellect emotions, behaviours and memory.

The different regions of the brain are specialised in varied functions. Different parts of the brain work together to accomplish specific shared purposes. It is therefore rightly called as ‘Uttamanga’ which means without which nothing is possible.

In this busy and competitive world, the brain is under tremendous stress. Man is neglecting the health of his vital organ, which is resulting in various diseases of the head.

A headache is the most simple yet complicated condition which almost all persons on this earth have experienced. The pain usually arises from the head and upper part of the neck. Headache can be a dull ache or sharp, throbbing, pricking, constant, intermittent mild pain or an intense, tight band-like sensation in the head.

Some of the common types of headaches are:

Migraine: It is the third most common and sixth most debilitating disease in the world, according to WHO. In India, migraine is the most common type of headache.

Tension headaches: It is the second most common type of headache. The pain starts from the sides of the head and gradually radiates to the neck, back of head, eyes and other parts of the body.

Sinus headache: It is one of the frequent headaches which are seen in winter and rainy season. Due to dust allergy or nasal infection, the para-nasal sinus around the nasal cavity becomes inflamed, leading to a sinus headache.

Trigeminal Neuralgia: It is a neurological vascular and muscular problem. The pain is sharp and confined to the distribution of nerves.

Ayurvedic approach

 Ayurveda suggests many preventive and curative treatments for headache:

• Body purification procedures such as Vamana, Virechana are done at proper intervals as they help to relieve toxins from the body.
• Nasya Karma which is one of the Panchakarmas, especially for head disorders, is done regularly to maintain good health.
• Shiro Abhyanga improves blood circulation to the brain and scalp.
• Shiro Pichu relieves anxiety tension and keeps the mind calm.
• Shirodhara helps to ease the stress and improves blood circulation, thereby maintaining the hormonal variations.
• Shiro Basti helps to bring down the stress and nourishes the brain.
• Shamana Aushadis in the form of Rasayana, Balya helps to reduce the degeneration of the brain and normalises nerve condition.