It throbs, it stings, it presses or simply hurts. Whether tension headaches, migraines or cluster headaches - many sufferers are at a loss, frustrated and feel that their quality of life is severely restricted. They don't want to take painkillers all the time, acupuncture doesn't help in the long term and the thought of the next injection or neurosurgical pain treatment makes their mood plummet.
According to a survey conducted by Statista in January 2017, 28% of women and 18% of men in Germany suffer from headaches several times a month. The main causes cited by those affected are stress and changes in the weather. The consequences: more sick days, more painkillers, depressed mood.
Pain has causes that Ayurvedic medicine gets to the bottom of. The functions and structures involved are analysed through detailed questioning and examination. The holistic therapy is highly individualised and differs significantly from the frequent „pop an ibuprofen or aspirin“ mentality.
Vedana | Pain from an Ayurvedic perspective
In classical Ayurveda, a distinction is made between ten types of pain. The three most important and superordinate types of pain are caused by pathological increases in the three dosha:
- Shula (literally „sting“) | through Vata conditional
- Daha (literally „burning“) | through Pitta conditional
- Kandu (literally „itching“) | by Kapha conditional
Headaches are recognised in Ayurveda Shirahshula and belong to the group of diseases of the head Shiroroga. Each of the classical compendia categorised this group differently: Charaka distinguished five, Sushruta eleven and Vagbhata ten types.
Which dosha is primarily involved in the pain process can be deduced from the respective characteristics:
- Vata-related pain are stabbing, cutting, throbbing and most intense. They can be accompanied by increased movement or immobility. Frequently affected areas are the temporal region and the centre of the eyebrows; the pain often originates from pronounced stiffness in the neck and moves upwards from there.
- Pitta-related pain are burning and are accompanied by feelings of heat, thirst and excessive sweating. There is often redness and sometimes dizziness is also associated. Another characteristic is the frequent involvement of the eyes, which are regarded as an important seat of Pitta.
- Kapha-related pain are dull and are accompanied by itching, coolness, tiredness, loss of appetite, swelling, numbness and tightness. Those affected describe the feeling of being wrapped in a wet cloth.
In very simplified terms, tension headaches are primarily associated with Vata Dosha, migraines primarily with Pitta Dosha and headaches caused by sinus problems with Kapha Dosha. In clinical practice, however, we usually find Dosha combinations that are responsible for headaches.
For this reason, severe or chronic headaches always require a professional diagnosis by an experienced Ayurveda physician. In the following I will give you an insight into the diagnostic methodology.
Ayurvedic differential diagnosis of pain
In order to reliably determine the dosha dominance of headaches, the experienced Ayurveda diagnostician asks in the anamnesis about modalities that increase and decrease the pain.
„Vata pains“ are dry, mobile and cold.
They reinforce each other
- on an empty stomach or before the next meal,
- in the afternoon, in the evening, at night,
- in the dark,
- in cold weather, due to wind, when the weather changes,
- when the seasons change, in autumn and winter,
- before and at the start of menstruation, during the menopause,
- for lack of sleep,
- when taking a break from eating,
- after physical exertion,
- after rejection procedures,
- inadequate stress management and
- for anxiety, grief and sadness.
„Vata pain“ is reduced
- after food intake,
- in the morning, at midday, in daylight,
- in warm weather, humid heat,
- in spring and summer,
- after menstruation and around ovulation,
- through heat,
- through oiling,
- by applying pleasant pressure to the painful areas,
- through sleep, rest, relaxation and
- through deep breathing.
„Pitta pains“ are hot and penetrating.
They reinforce each other
- between meals,
- through alcohol,
- by acidic, salty and spicy foods,
- at midday and at midnight,
- Exposure to light, hot weather, humid heat,
- in midsummer and early autumn,
- around ovulation, menstruation and the menopause,
- for lack of sleep,
- when taking a break from eating,
- during physical exertion,
- inadequate stress management and
- for anger, annoyance and conflicts.
„Pitta pain“ is reduced
- after food intake,
- due to cold, mountain and sea climate,
- in winter and spring,
- through cooling and sweet foods,
- through cool compresses,
- through sleep, rest, relaxation and darkness.
„Kapha pains“ are heavy, oily, sluggish and slimy.
They reinforce each other
- after meals,
- in the morning,
- after a long sleep,
- with a sedentary lifestyle,
- in case of overeating,
- after consumption of sweet and moist foods,
- in cold and damp weather,
- in winter and spring,
- with too much rest, sluggishness and lack of drive.
„Kapha pain“ is reduced
- fasting and on a reduction diet,
- in dry heat and wind,
- in summer and autumn,
- through movement, stretching, dynamics and sport,
- through dry massages to stimulate blood circulation,
- with motivation and goal-orientated activity.
The pain history is followed by a physical examination with pulse palpation, tongue inspection, voice, skin, eye and face analysis. The evaluation of all results leads to a diagnosis, which in Ayurveda always represents an understanding of the development of the disease (Samprapti). A customised treatment plan is then drawn up based on this.
Holistic Ayurveda therapy
There is no pill for headaches in Ayurveda. Every therapy is a reflection of the treatment strategy, which in turn is based on differentiated diagnostics.
The following therapy pillars are fundamentally used:
Nutritional therapy
After analysing your eating habits in detail, a nutrition plan is drawn up taking into account food selection, meal systems, preparation methods, quantities and combinations.
Lifestyle change
The main focus here is on optimising sleeping habits, breathing and movement, time management, sensory impressions and personal hygiene.
Phytotherapy
There are numerous dietary supplements available for the treatment of headaches, which are selected according to the Ayurvedic differential diagnosis.
External therapy
The head treatments Shirodhara (forehead oil pouring), Shirobasti (head oiling in a leather hat) and Shiropichu (compresses and bandages) in particular show impressive results. Massages (Abhyanga) and herbal stamp treatments (Pindasveda) can also be used.
Rejection procedure
For Vata dominant headaches, intestinal enemas (Basti) are administered, for Pitta dominance laxative therapies (Virechana) and for Kapha dominance gastric lavage (Vamana). Intranasal therapy (Shirovirechana) with oils and powders is used in all cases.
Psychosomatic therapy
It is worth thinking outside the box and scrutinising the obvious symbolism in a figurative sense: what is causing me headaches, what is creating this painful pressure in my life? Anxiety and depression often go hand in hand with headaches. Ayurvedic psychosomatics is knowledge- and behaviour-oriented, mindfulness-based and includes value analyses, changes in frame of reference, measures to increase mental abilities and meditation.
The results of pain therapy in Ayurveda are above all sustainable and characterised by a growing understanding of the holistic connections between causes, triggers and complaints. This help for self-help enables those affected to remove the root of pain development by changing their thinking and lifestyle habits and to lead a happy, meaningful life.
With best wishes for your health,
Ralph Steuernagel
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