A migraine is an intense headache which is a neurological condition causing debilitating, throbbing pain that can leave people bedridden for days. Sound, light, movement, and other triggers can cause symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, pain, blurred vision, numbness or tingling, irritability, difficulty speaking, and temporary vision loss.
WHICH EXERCISES ARE GOOD FOR MIGRAINE?
Here are some exercises which are good for migraine. Speak with your doctor first to see if these are suitable for you.
- Aerobic exercise: Cardio exercise that increases heart rate such as swimming, running, brisk walking, and jogging strengthens muscles and joints, and releases feel-good endorphins. Start slow and watch your speed. Try taking a 30-minute walk daily. You can add more time and energy to your workouts while building endurance.
- Tai chi: It is a type of mind-body exercise that can improve your balance and coordination. It can also relieve pain, depression, and anxiety. One study looked at the effects of tai chi on 82 women from age of 18 to 65 with migraine episodes. Women were divided into two groups, those who practiced tai chi regularly and those who received tai chi training at the end of the study.
The group in which she practiced tai chi one hour a day, five days a week for 12 weeks had fewer migraines and better blood pressure than the other group.
- Yoga: Yoga can aid reduce the severity and frequency of migraines. Yoga is a mind and body therapy that originated in ancient India. People all over the world are practicing it now. Includes poses, meditation and breathing exercises. Studies show it can decrease stress, anxiety, and depression. Stress is a significant and common trigger for migraines. Yoga can help prevent and alleviate migraine headaches by comforting tense areas such as the neck, head, and shoulders.
Studies show that yoga may be a complementary practice to help manage migraine headaches and migraine-related disorders. Poses that put strain on the neck should be avoided.
- High-Intensity Interval Training: This style of exercise involves short-term bursts of high-intensity cardio, such as sprinting or weightlifting, with rest or low-intensity walking in between. Research states that HIIT can lessen both the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks. However, because of its intensity, it may also produce a migraine headache in certain people.
Start out slowly and monitor your body’s reaction. Work your way up, and always start with a warm-up and end with a cool-down. Consult a physical therapist or certified trainer if you’re unsure about where to begin.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF EXERCISE WHEN YOU HAVE MIGRAINE?
Research states that regular exercise reduces stress levels and helps you sleep better. Stress and lack of sleep are common migraine triggers.
Exercise can also:
- Improve mood and self-esteem and reduce depression, which often occurs with migraines
- Strengthening certain muscles may play a role in Migraines
- Keep off obesity, which is linked to migraines
MIGRAINE TREATMENT AT SPECIALTY CARE CLINICS:
Treatment for migraine is done at Specialty Care Clinics.
All kinds of migraine conditions are treated by our physicians.
Our doctors have the knowledge, experience, and tools necessary to handle even the most difficult migraine condition.
If you experience symptoms of migraine, call for medical care immediately.
For treatment of migraine book an appointment at Specialty Care Clinics dial (469) 545-9983.
HOW CAN EXERCISE TRIGGER MIGRAINE?
For some people, exercise, especially rigorous, high-intensity interval training, can trigger a migraine attack. This is called an exercise-induced migraine.
Although the cause is not clear, frequent movement triggers migraine attacks. Actions like turning quickly, turning your head suddenly, or bending over can all trigger or worsen migraine symptoms.
So, while intense exercise leads to increased blood lactate, migraine sufferers have faulty energy metabolism, and higher brain lactate is linked with higher migraine frequency, This may explain the onset of migraine attacks during intense exercise.
A migraine episode tends to occur more often in connection with certain sports or vigorous or strenuous activity, including:
- Football
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Running
- Rowing
- Weightlifting
- Cycling
Migraine attacks, especially migraine attacks with aura, can occur during exercise or sports that require heavy or sudden exertion.
For those who feel exercise is a migraine trigger, the environment can also be a risk factor for the attack. Migraines are expected to happen in people who exercise in hot, humid weather or at higher altitudes.
HEALTHY EXERCISE TIPS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE MIGRAINE:
- Use correct posture while exercising
- Workout in cool temperature
- Warm up and cool down
- Drink water prior to, during, and after a workout
- Build stamina
For the treatment of migraine and to know more about physical exercises to perform if you have a migraine problem, visit Specialty Care Clinics, book an appointment through our home page or call us at (469) 545-9983