According to the WHO, half of the world's population suffers from regular headaches . Is this also your case? Rather than taking medication, you can turn to an alternative solution that has already proven itself: sophrology . Find out what this gentle method consists of, what its beneficial effects are and how it can help you if you regularly have headaches.
What is sophrology?
Sophrology is a psychocorporeal therapeutic method. It aims to bring physical and mental well-being through the harmonization of body and mind.
Invented in the 1960s by Colombian neuropsychiatrist Alfonso Caycedo, sophrology is based on relaxation techniques, muscle relaxation, breathing and positive visualization.
Sophrology is primarily a verbal method! Indeed, the sophrologist uses his voice to guide the patient through exercises. No physical contact is necessary. For example, the sophrologist will never perform a relaxing massage.
For several decades, sophrology has been increasingly talked about. It's not surprising! This method has already proven itself in many areas: stress management, treatment of phobias or addictions, the fight against eating disorders, etc.
Can headaches be relieved with sophrology?
Yes, headaches can be relieved with sophrology. We'll explain right away how it's possible!
Symptoms and causes of headaches and migraines
There are different types of headaches: cluster headaches, tension headaches, and migraines (or throbbing headaches).
Headaches are temporary pains felt in the skull. The causes of a headache are extremely varied:
- Stress ;
- Fatigue ;
- Overwork;
- Dehydration;
- Prolonged exposure to the sun;
- Alcohol consumption;
- Drug abuse…
Tension headaches are diffuse pains that can last between 30 minutes and 7 days. They are characterized by a feeling of a vice around the skull. The main causes are tensions in the pericranial muscles, but stress is an aggravating factor.
Finally, migraine is a pain located on one side of the head. Pulsating, it is felt as moderate to severe. It is annoying or even disabling during daily activities.
Migraine is often chronic , meaning it occurs regularly. Attacks last between 4 hours and 3 days. They are accompanied by other severe symptoms such as nausea or increased sensitivity to noise and/or light.
The causes of migraines are very varied:
- Stress ;
- Lack of sleep;
- Overwork;
- Excessive consumption of alcohol, sugary foods or fatty foods;
- Hormonal fluctuations (menstrual cycle);
- Drug abuse;
- Anxiety and depression.
Migraine can also be hereditary.
How can sophrology relieve headaches and migraines?
If you regularly suffer from headaches, tension headaches or migraines, sophrology can help you.
Indeed, this gentle method teaches the patient to put his suffering on hold by focusing on his breathing, but also on the parts of his body that do not suffer. Positive visualization is also very beneficial. The patient focuses on the vision of his body serene, relaxed, without pain. In this way, he diverts his attention from his suffering. Thanks to this voluntary detachment, the pain felt is much less intense.
With sophrology, the patient observes his pain and accepts it. When suffering, human beings tend to have negative thoughts such as "I will never get out of this". Sophrology teaches us to change our vision of suffering to see it rather as a passing state, which can be tamed.
Can sophrology prevent migraines?
Sophrology is also a good way to prevent headaches or migraine attacks, because it gives you the keys to better manage your stress.
Indeed, anxiety, anguish and stress are causes of headaches and migraines. What if your headaches have another cause (for example, fatigue)? Stress is almost always an aggravating factor. By practicing sophrology regularly, you will generally be more peaceful, more serene, less stressed. As a result, your headaches may be less frequent or less severe.
In addition, it can happen that the pain of a migraine attack is accentuated by the patient's apprehension. After exposure to noise or alcohol consumption, for example, the patient expects to have a migraine and this anticipation can amplify his pain. Sophrology helps eliminate this factor because with regular practice, the patient manages to be in the present moment.
Finally, sophrology teaches the patient to listen to his body and his sensations. By knowing ourselves better, we learn to know the triggers of a headache or migraine to better avoid them.
In conclusion: what do you think of sophrology against headaches and migraines?
Sophrology cannot completely cure your headaches, but it can relieve them and help you cope better with them. It has a real beneficial effect on your stress management and your perception of pain. It is therefore an alternative solution that you can practice in addition to your medical treatment for headaches.
