Yoga Therapy for Headache Relief [Hardcover]

Van Peter, M.D. Houten (Author), Rich McCord (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 25, 2004

Headaches are one of the most common and aggravating health problems we experience. Morethan 40 million Americans suffer from serious or chronic headaches sometime in their lives andconsume over 30,000 TONS of over-the counter painkillers each year.Topics covered include the different types of headaches and how to tell them apart how yoga canhelp them two safe, effective routinesone short, the other longerdetailing whichyoga postures to use for best results additional alternative techniques that may be helpful otherprescription and non-prescription medical therapies worth considering and a bibliographyfor further reading.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter Van Houten, M.D. is the founder of the Sierra Family Medical Clinic, a practicing Primary Care Physician and a graduate of UCSF medical school, widely recognized as one of the top medical schools in the US. He has been practicing medicine for more than 20 years.

Rich McCord, Ph.D. is the worldwide director of Ananda Yoga, one of the largest and best-known schools of yoga in the United States, and has been practicing yoga for over twenty-three years.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

YOGA HEADACHE-PREVENTION ROUTINES
Yoga Perspective on Headache-Relief Poses
Tension Headaches
A tension headache develops in response to a perceived threat, either actual or imagined, that triggers the mind to send a signal to the nerves and muscles as a call to action. When the perception of threat endures, energy remains trapped in the muscles. We call this tension. It is especially common in the neck and shoulders. As the threat perception becomes habitual, so does the tension. The stretches and other yoga exercises help to release that trapped energy and restore the free flow of energy through the neck and shoulders, helping to relieve the associated headache.

Migraine Headaches
A migraine headache is an energy imbalance, rather than blocked energy, that appears to be caused by a physical imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain. Yoga techniques have a potential for migraine relief, not only because they relieve stress, but also because the inverted poses turn the spine upside down and the head lower than the heart to increase the flow of harmonizing energy to the brain. Yogis say that this intelligent life force helps to restore balance and harmony to any part of the body in which it is concentrated and free flowing. The inverted poses may help balance the brain's production of neurotransmitters, thereby decreasing the likelihood of developing migraines.

Remember, however, that inverted poses are not good to practice while actually experiencing a migraine headache because the inverted movements may make a headache in progress worse. The inverted poses are better suited as a day-to-day method of prevention.

Yoga Techniques for Headaches
There are two sets of building blocks that form the basis of yoga techniques for headache treatment.
Main Routine--a basic sequence for stretching muscles and improving posture to prevent tension headaches, gentle inverted poses (asanas) to help counter the tendency to develop migraines. The entire routine of five basic exercises takes less than 20 minutes. The Main Routine should be avoided when a migraine headache is in progress because exercise may aggravate it. Instead, use the Intervention Routine outlined in the next chapter.
Intervention Routine--a short sequence that can help relieve the discomfort of a tension headache or combination migraine-tension headache in progress.

How to Use the Routines
For some of the exercises, you may need a yoga strap. A long sock, small blanket, or an old necktie works just as well. Even a straight-backed chair will serve. Use the exercises in progression, each week, changing and adding as the instructions describe.

Week 1: Practice the Basic Five exercises described in detail on page at least twice each day--4 to 5 times daily for severe cases--with one of those times being just before going to bed at night. Each practice takes 6 or 7 minutes.
Weeks 2-3: Practice as in week 1, but on three days of weeks two and three, substitute the Main Routine for one practice of the Basic Five.
Weeks 4-5: Practice as in weeks 2-3, but begin to hold some of the positions for longer periods. Exercises 1, 8, 11 and 13 of the Main Routine are particularly good to practice longer than the suggested guidelines.
After Week 5: Practice as in weeks 4-5, but add to the Main Routine one or more of the postures described under Additional Postures. The Ear-Closing Pose is especially beneficial.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 158 pages
• Publisher: Crystal Clarity Publishers (May 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565891694
• ISBN-13: 978-1565891692
• Product Dimensions: 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #412,779 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An alternate treatment approach for headache sufferers, July 27, 2004

By 

Beth Cholette "doctor_beth" (Upstate NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Yoga Therapy for Headache Relief (Hardcover)

I am a frequent sufferer of both tension-type headaches and migraines, and I also practice yoga several times per week. This attractive little square book provides an easy to follow yoga stretching routine that is appropriate for anyone, even those with no prior exposure to yoga.

The book begins with some basic information about headaches, including distinguishing between tension-type headaches and migraines and reviewing common causes of headaches. This material is presented in a simple, easy-to-read format, although it will probably already be familiar to those who have done prior research into their headaches. The authors then move into an overview of Ananda yoga, a copyrighted style which basically combines traditional yoga postures with positive affirmations.

Next come the yoga routines themselves. The book presents several options, including the Main Routine, a 20-minute daily practice to help prevent headaches, and the Intervention Routine, which can be used to decrease the discomfort from certain types of headaches in progress. The Main Routine consists of 15 total exercises which vary from standing in correct posture, yogic breathing, arm stretches, and neck rolls to seated and lying stretches. Exercises 9-15 include a simple affirmation such as 'I relax from outer involvement into my inner haven of peace.' The only prop required is a blanket; a strap is optional for some of the poses. An additional chapter suggests more challenging postures such as ear-closing pose, shoulderstand, and plow for once you are ready to expand your daily practice. The Intervention Routine includes 5 exercises from the Main routine plus yogic breath and relaxation postures. Finally, the book ends with a review of other options for headache treatments, including medications.

These simple stretching routines will definitely help you to release tension from your muscles while relaxing your body and mind. Since I already practice yoga, I don't plan to do the entire routine daily, but I'm confident that adding these simple postures will have a positive impact on my headaches. This is an excellent resource for those who prefer a more wellness-focused model to traditional medical treatment.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This deserves to be a bestseller!, February 9, 2004

By 

Nancy Mair "cookook author" (Nevada City, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Yoga Therapy for Headache Relief (Hardcover)

Outstanding! I couldn't stop reading it from cover to cover, just for the pleasure of discovering what information and solutions would come next. I tried the short yoga routine when I had a major tension headache building and had complete and immediate relief, plus my headache didn't reappear hours later as it can when taking pills. The photos took me step by step with excellent guidelines. Now I keep the book handy, and have put away my bottle of Advil. I'm thrilled I don't have to be dependant on pills!
This book is very well written, and has lots of photos so it's easy to follow and understand. Here is a great blend of traditional medicine and easy yoga postures and techniques to prevent and relieve headaches. The medical information is thorough, yet nicely written for the layperson. The medical treatments transition beautifully to prevention and remedies through yoga. The postures are fabulous, too, just for relieving neck and shoulder tension and feeling more calm. I'm sold! A longer, daily routine is also offered for people who suffer from migraines and frequent headaches.
Now I don't have to mask symptoms by taking pills, and can go right to the source of the problem -- in 5-10 minutes. A treasure of a book!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Headache Free!, July 12, 2005

By 

Philip J. Romano (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Yoga Therapy for Headache Relief (Hardcover)

After a grueling day at work in the city, I came home with a headache that was more than unbearable. Luckily I had recently purchased "Yoga Therapy for Headache Relief", and this was the perfect opporutnity to try it out. It worked! After the rountine, amazingly the severity of my headache had dimishned and after sometime the pain left entirely. Now I practice the yoga postures offered in this book so I can maintain overall well-being and I remain to this day virtually headache free. Thank you! -Phil Romano