Yoga Therapy for Headache Relief (Hardcover)

~ Peter Van Houten (Author), Rich McCord (Author) "Almost everyone has experienced a bad headache at some time..." (more)
Key Phrases: recent spinal injuries, outer involvement, inner haven, Ananda Yoga, Main Routine, Full Yogic Breath (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Headaches are one of the most common and aggravating health problems we experience. More than 40 million Americans suffer from serious or chronic headaches sometime during their lives, and Americans consume over 30,000 tons of over-the counter painkillers each year!

Co-written by an experienced medical doctor and an acclaimed professional yoga teacher, Yoga Therapy for Headache Relief is the first book that uses yoga as a comprehensive, permanent alternative solution to the standard-often only marginally effective-treatments.

Topics covered include: the different types of headaches and how to tell them apart; how yoga can help them; two safe, effective routines-one short, the other longer -detailing which yoga postures to use for best results; additional alternative techniques that may be helpful; other prescription and non-prescription medical therapies worth considering; and a bibliography for further reading.

Effective Solutions for Overcoming Headaches Yoga Therapy is a revolutionary new approach to working with some of the most common physical and mental ailments. Combining yoga postures with the latest in conventional and alternative medical treatments, each book in the Yoga Therapy series presents a fresh, effective approach to healing.

Yoga Therapy for Headache Relief contains extensive information on how to use yoga postures as an aid in healing, useful conventional and alternative treatments to supplement your practice, plus a variety of additional tips, techniques, and tools. Yoga Therapy is easy-to-use, succinct, and requires no prior knowledge or practice of yoga.

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.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 158 pages
• Publisher: Crystal Clarity Publishers; illustrated edition edition (December 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565891694
• ISBN-13: 978-1565891692
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #83,502 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 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 (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

16 of 17 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 (REAL NAME)

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!

8 of 8 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)

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