Migraines are some of the most painful and debilitating headaches around, and they can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours before they fade away on their own. While there are many different migraine triggers that can be difficult to identify and avoid, there’s also hope in something as simple as yoga—in fact, it may be one of the best cures for migraine and sinus symptoms available! Here’s how yoga can help you cure migraines with these simple steps!
Pranayama
Migraine and sinus relief through yoga can be found through the practice of Pranayama, also known as yogic breathing. By creating a balance between the body and the mind, pranayama can help provide migraine and sinus relief. Even if you have a history of migraines or sinus problems, there are still plenty of yoga poses that can assist in relieving your symptoms. Try these three techniques to create some much-needed relaxation and reduction in pain.
1) Breathing Techniques
Kapalabhati
A type of breathing technique called Kapalabhati can help cure migraine and sinus. Yogic breathing is a practice that helps clear the mind and energize your body by cleansing the lungs, stomach, and intestines. Kapalabhati is a popular yogic breathing technique that helps cure asthma, allergies, stress-related headaches, and migraines as well as sinusitis. It has also been shown to help you lose weight because it strengthens the abdominal muscles and stimulates the thyroid gland. You can do this yoga breathing at any time or place because there are no complicated postures involved in this exercise.
Bhastrika
There are many ways that yoga can help to relieve the symptoms of migraine or sinus problems. One of the most helpful styles of yoga that I’ve found is Bhastrika, also known as bellows breath. This is a breathing technique that works by cleansing and oxygenating the lungs, which helps reduce both migraine headaches and sinus congestion. To practice Bhastrika, you need to sit in an upright position with your spine straight and feet flat on the floor. Then close your eyes or lower them, place your hand’s palms down on your thighs, slightly apart from each other, and take a deep breath through your nose while expanding your chest fully so it moves up towards your chin.
Anuloma Viloma
Start by sitting cross-legged on the floor or in a chair with both hands resting on your knees. Close off one nostril with your thumb or index finger and inhale through the other nostrils deeply, counting to four while you breathe in. Hold your breath for four counts then exhale through the same side of your nose counting to six while you breathe out. Switch sides and repeat this process three times on each side.
Ujjayi
There are various types of yoga that can help relieve sinus pressure and migraine pain. One such yoga, Ujjayi breathing, is a breathing technique that produces a whooshing sound. This type of breathing helps stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system and calm your body down by slowing your heart rate and lowering blood pressure. Another yoga posture, the cobra pose, is especially helpful for curing sinuses because it opens up the nasal passages and aids in drainage. If you’re suffering from migraines or sinus pressure, try incorporating these two yogic postures into your day and see if they help alleviate any symptoms.
Sitali
The Sitali pose is a yoga pose that helps relieve migraine and sinus problems. This pose can be done while sitting or lying down. Start by taking a deep breath in, then exhale as you bend your head towards your knees and tuck the chin into the chest. This will cause your diaphragm and abdomen to move, which can help release tension in these areas. You should feel some relief from pressure on the sinuses and head after this position has been held for at least 30 seconds.
Bhramari
The Bhramari Pranayama practice is said to cure migraine and sinuses because it stimulates the vagus nerve. To do this, sit cross-legged on the floor and bend over so that your head is close to your knees. Now, while breathing deeply through your nose, let out a slow, continuous sound like you’re blowing out candles on a birthday cake.
Nirguna Mudra
The best way to cure migraine is by practicing one of the yoga asanas that are known to relieve migraine and sinuses. One such asana is Nirguna Mudra. To practice this, first sit down on a chair or on the ground and bend forward while keeping your back straight. Hold your left wrist with your right hand and pull it towards you so that you feel a stretch in your chest, stomach, thighs, and calves. Then cross your right arm under your left arm and hold it by pulling it towards you. You may now place both palms together at chest level. Repeat this exercise five times on both sides for an even better effect.
Shankhaprakshalana
The first, and most powerful, step in the process of learning how to cure migraine and sinuses through yoga is understanding the cause of your symptoms. The majority of migraine headaches are caused by problems with hormone regulation. This can be triggered by a wide range of things from hormonal changes during menstruation or menopause to eating certain foods like sugar or red meat, or even stress. Stress is one of the leading causes because it stimulates an area called the hypothalamus which then releases hormones that impact the entire body including the brain.
