Is it advisable to engage in physical exercise when experiencing a migraine?

Question: Is Physical Activity Advisable When Experiencing a Migraine?

A growing body of evidence suggests that regular exercise can play a significant role in managing migraine frequency. While strenuous sports like boot camps, tennis, or isometric exercises may trigger migraines for some individuals, a more moderate approach to exercise can bring relief.

Research indicates that a sedentary lifestyle is associated with more frequent migraine episodes. Conversely, steadily working up a sweat during regular exercise sessions might prevent frequent migraine attacks.

Running for about 30 minutes, brisk walking for 40-45 minutes, and cycling for 20 minutes have been found to be beneficial for reducing migraine frequency. These aerobic and fat-burning exercises seem particularly good for decreasing anti-inflammatory markers in the brain.

Yoga and strength training also appear to lessen the frequency of migraine episodes. A 50-minute or longer session of yoga might be needed for the full benefits, and cross-training such as aqua jogging is also recommended.

Moderate exercise can improve health conditions that frequently go along with having migraine, such as cardiovascular problems, depression, anxiety, stress, and sleeplessness. By addressing these underlying conditions, exercise may improve the overall quality of life for those with migraine.

It's important to note that high-intensity workouts can trigger headaches and discourage future exercise for those with migraine. Those whose migraine attacks first presented with neck pain had higher rates of exercise-triggered migraine.

Individuals with nerve pain, primary exertional headache, or high blood pressure may wish to consult their healthcare team before starting an exercise regimen. However, for the majority of migraine sufferers, a moderate, regular exercise routine can build a higher threshold response to migraine triggers and reduce the frequency of attacks.

In a study of 136 participants who started regular exercise, 95 went from having 15 or more migraine episodes per month to fewer than 8 per month. This demonstrates the potential for exercise to significantly reduce migraine frequency.

In conclusion, endurance sports such as running, walking, and cycling, as well as yoga and strength training, can be beneficial for those with migraine. Regular training sessions (e.g., 30 minutes three times a week) can halve the number of attacks and reduce pain intensity through improved blood circulation and endorphin release in the brain.