Migraine - Patient Case Study

Patient: 32, Years Female Patient

Patient Baseline

A 32-year-old woman presented with a three-year history of recurrent unilateral headaches, each lasting 4–6 hours, associated with nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia. She experienced 3–4 episodes per month, which disrupted both her professional and social life. Her lifestyle included high stress, irregular meals, excessive screen time, and poor sleep hygiene due to prolonged working hours. From an Ayurvedic perspective, her symptoms correlated with Ardhavbhedaka, arising from the vitiation of Vata and Pitta doshas, aggravated by irregular food habits and stress-induced Agnimandya (digestive weakness).

Panchakarma Protocols

  • Ghrita Paan/Internal Snehana: For 5 Days Internal Snehana was done as Purvakarma
  • Vamana: As a main Karma: To remove the excess Kapha and to restore the homeostasis.
  • Samasarjana Karma: 3 days Post Vamana
  • Ghrita Paan for Virechana Karma: 3 Days
  • Virechana after Gap of 2 days: Removal of Excess Pitta as part of Shodhana treatment
  • Shirodhara/Shirobasti on alternate days during Virechana

Improvements Observed

  • Frequency of Migraine attacks reduced from 3–4 episodes/month→2episode/month →1 episode every 2 months ↓70%
  • Pain Intensity (VAS 0–10) 8 (severe)→ 5 (moderate) 2→ (mild) ↓75%
  • Duration per Episode 4–6 hrs→ 2–4 hrs →1–2 hrs ↓50%
  • tress Level (0–10) 9 (high)s→ 6 (moderate) 3s→ (low) ↓67%

Treatment Outcome

Pain episodes completely resolved, with in 3 months- 70% lesser frequency of pain, 75% lesser episodes and improved quality of life