Explore the impact of exercise on migraine. From boosting pain tolerance through endorphin release to regulating sleep patterns and enhancing overall well-being, exercise offers promising benefits for people with migraine. Discover how incorporating regular physical activity into your routine could potentially reduce migraine frequency, intensity, and duration, and learn when it’s best to integrate exercise into your migraine management strategy.
What are the physical effects of exercise that impact migraine biology?
Exercise influences various systems in the body, including the hormonal, vascular, and inflammatory systems. It also affects the metabolism of neurotransmitters like serotonin, opioids, endocannabinoids, and CGRP, all of which are involved in migraine biology.
Why could exercise improve my migraine?
Exercise may benefit people with migraine in several ways:
- Endorphin Release: Increases pain tolerance.
- Regulates Sleep and Eating Patterns: Reduces stress levels.
- Prevents Obesity and Depression: Both conditions are associated with migraine.
- Increases Migraine Threshold: Makes you more resistant to migraine triggers.
- Strengthens and Stabilizes Muscles: Improved posture may help manage migraine.
- Enhances Self-Awareness and Empowerment: Promotes overall well-being.
Is there solid proof that exercise helps migraine?
While theories abound regarding exercise’s positive role in migraine management, few studies directly compare exercise protocols to no exercise. These studies are challenging to conduct. However, one study showed a decrease in monthly migraine days with both intense and moderate exercise regimens compared to no exercise, with a reduction of -2 migraine days per month in the exercise group.
Research indicates that regular exercise—30 to 40 minutes of moderate or higher intensity performed three or more times per week—can reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of migraine.
Should I exercise during a migraine attack?
For most people, it’s best to avoid exercise during a migraine attack, as it usually worsens the symptoms. However, some patients report that exercising in the early stages of a migraine can help abort the attack.
What if I have chronic migraine and find it difficult to tolerate exercise?
Individuals with chronic migraine may struggle to tolerate exercise. While there is no definitive proof that exercise reduces migraine frequency in people who experience chronic pain, staying active at a gentle level can be beneficial. Exercise has been shown to improve depression, which is common among those with chronic migraine. Maintaining some level of physical activity can enhance mental health.
For tips on exercising without triggering attacks, visit How to Exercise if You Live With Migraine.
What are the health benefits of regular exercise relevant for people with migraine?
Regular exercise offers numerous health benefits:
- Reduces migraine attacks
- Helps prevent insomnia (i.e., regulates sleep)
- Improves mood and self-esteem
- Enhances memory and concentration
- Boosts cardiovascular health
- Maintains and improves muscle mass
- Helps maintain a healthy weight
Conclusion: Should I exercise more?
If you exercise less than 30 minutes three times a week, the answer is YES. Exercise benefits both physical and mental health and is likely to improve migraine, even if formal studies are limited. For tips on how to exercise if you live with migraine, see this post.
References
- Koseoglu E, Yetkin MF, Ugur F, Bilgen M. The role of exercise in migraine treatment short title: exercise in migraine. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2014.
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