Does Working Out Relieve Your Migraines? | Affinity Health
Affinity Health is a leading provider of high-quality healthcare. Here are their tips on exercising to prevent chronic migraines.
Exercise is beneficial for health and well-being. But as per research, exercise reduces the intensity of migraine attacks.
What is the Link Between Exercise and Migraines?
One of the primary reasons exercise reduces migraines is that it releases endorphins. Endorphins are natural analgesics.
“Endorphins are the body’s most effective pain-coping mechanism. They create a feeling of well-being. Endorphins can lift your mood for up to two hours post-workout,” says Murray Hewlett, Affinity Health’s CEO.
Regular exercise is also associated with a slew of extra health benefits.
Exercise can assist you in the following ways:
- Losing weight
- Improving your mood
- Improving your cardiovascular health
- Lowering your cholesterol
“It may help manage health conditions associated with migraines. Linked health conditions include obesity, hypertension, sleep apnoea, depression, and anxiety.”
Exercise is not without its limitations. Exercise can trigger a migraine attack in some people who suffer from migraines.
According to Affinity Health, this could be because of the increased blood pressure. Your blood pressure goes up when you exercise. Higher blood pressure helps drive oxygen-rich blood throughout your body.
It’s critical to remember that the advantages of exercise exceed the risks. You should exercise every day, even if you suffer from chronic migraines.
The Best Exercises for Migraine Sufferers
Which sorts of physical activity are most effective at making you fit and healthy? And which of these exercises reduces the intensity of your migraines?
Consider the following exercises if you suffer from chronic migraines.
Jogging, Running, Cycling and Walking
The Journal of Headache and Pain discovered that aerobic exercises reduce migraine duration.
High Powered Interval Training
High-Intensity Interval Training might be more beneficial than moderate exercise.
The Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports states that HIIT sessions lower how often you get migraines.
Yoga
As per the International Journal of Yoga, yoga five days a week for six weeks reduces migraine intensity and frequency.
Slow, thoughtful movements such as yoga are relieving for migraine sufferers. They help reduce stress levels, which trigger attacks.
Tai Chi
According to the National Institutes of Health, the benefits of tai chi as the following:
- Greater balance and stability
- Increased ability to manage discomfort
- Decreased weariness and sadness
Which Exercises Should You Avoid?
Some exercises, particularly those that are hard, may provoke migraines. For example, powerlifting can trigger a migraine. When you lift heavy weights, you put more pressure on the cushion that surrounds the brain.
About Affinity Health
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