![]() Tai chi The benefits of tai chi - improved balance and stability, ability to cope with pain, reduced fatigue and depression - have been known for hundreds of years, according to the National Institutes of Health. ![]() What’s more, this study showed that slow, mindful exercises, such as yoga, were especially beneficial for migraine sufferers, as they help decrease levels of stress, which is known to trigger attacks. Yoga According to a study published in the July-December 2014 issue of International Journal of Yoga, people with migraines who practiced yoga five days a week for six weeks in addition to using conventional treatment, such as medication, saw a greater reduction in migraine intensity and frequency than those who received conventional treatment alone. A study published in November 2017 in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports found that HIIT workouts were more effective at reducing the number of days of migraine attacks than was moderate-intensity exercise. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) While high-intensity exercise can trigger migraines in some individuals, research shows that frequent HIIT workouts, which alternate short bursts of intense cardio exercise with periods of rest or lower-intensity exercise, can actually be more beneficial than moderate exercise for people with migraines. Moderate-intensity exercises, such as dancing or brisk walking, are those that elevate your heart rate and cause you to breathe harder but still allow you to carry on a conversation. Jogging, running, cycling, and walking A meta-analysis of studies on exercise and migraine published in February 2019 in The Journal of Headache and Pain found that aerobic exercises - walking, jogging, running, cycling, cross-training - were associated with a decrease in migraine attack duration and pain and that moderate-intensity exercise is a plus for migraine patients. So which types of physical activity are best to help you get fit and healthy while potentially reducing your migraine frequency and severity? Here are some exercises you might want to consider if you have chronic migraines. Best Exercises for People Who Get Migraines Collins advise that exercise should be part of your daily routine if you experience chronic migraines. ![]() It’s important to note, though, that the benefits of exercise outweigh the negatives, and both Tariq and Dr. According to the AMF, this could be due to the elevation of blood pressure, which normally happens when you exercise, to push the flow of oxygen-rich blood throughout your body. For some people with migraines, exercise can trigger an attack. And exercise may also help relieve stress by reducing levels of the body’s stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol.īut exercise doesn’t come without caveats. A study published in December 2011 in Mental Health and Physical Activity showed that 150 minutes of exercise per week resulted in significantly better sleep. The September 2018 study notes that exercise has been shown to improve health problems commonly linked to migraines, such as obesity, hypertension, sleep apnea, depression, and anxiety.Īnd the benefits don’t end there: Research has shown that exercise may help improve sleep quality and reduce stress, which can have a positive impact on migraines, says Timothy Collins, MD, a headache specialist in the department of neurology at Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina. He also notes that it “can improve a variety of areas of your overall health, which can certainly impact your migraines.” “Exercise can help you lose weight, feel better, improve your cardiovascular health, lower cholesterol,” says Dr. Regular workouts are also linked to a wide array of other health benefits. He has long recommended exercise for his migraine patients. “Endorphins are the body’s best pain-coping mechanism, and they provide a feel-good mood that can last one to two hours postworkout,” explains Nauman Tariq, MBBS, a headache specialist and director of the Johns Hopkins Headache Center, in Baltimore. How Exercise May Help MigrainesĪccording to researchers, one of the main reasons physical activity may help reduce migraines is that during exercise, the body releases endorphins, which act as natural painkillers. In addition to the fact that exercise is good for your overall health and well-being, it may also play a significant role in reducing the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks, according to the American Migraine Foundation (AMF).Ī review of 44 studies on migraine and exercise published in September 2018 in The Journal of Headache and Pain found that regular exercise may have a preventive effect in reducing the number of migraines and the frequency and intensity of headaches. Should you work out if you’re prone to migraines? The answer, according to research, is a decided yes.
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