Migraines and Exercise

Migraine Headache Exercises

 

 

Jun 14, 2011 | By Sarka-Jonae Miller     

Migraines are simply horrible. What causes your migraines may be different for you than for anyone else, and the symptoms you feel will also be somewhat unique. Whether the reason you get migraines is stress, posture or something else, exercise is likely to make your migraines better though unlikely to cure them completely. While suffering from a migraine, exercise might make you feel worse, so exercise when you are well to try and prevent future migraines.

Neck Stretching Exercises

Stretching your neck reduces tension and improves blood flow. Several basic neck stretches can be done without any equipment and only a few minutes of your time. To do these exercises, sit in a chair and look forward with your chin parallel to the ground. This is the starting position. Breathe out through your nose as you lower your chin to your chest. Breathe in as you raise your chin to point to the ceiling. Next, bend your head sideways to bring the right ear toward your right trap muscle and breathe out. Return to the starting position as you breathe in. Repeat on the left. Finally, turn your head to look to the left as you breathe out, keeping your chin parallel to the floor. Breathe in as you return to center. Repeat to the right.

 

Yoga Exercise

Viparita karani is a yoga pose that may be beneficial for migraine and headache sufferers. During this pose, you put your legs up and rest them against a wall. Doing so reverses the blood flow. To perform this exercise, hold your legs parallel to a wall while lying on your back and scoot forward until your buttocks and legs touch the wall. Extend your legs straight and rest your arms at your sides. This exercise promotes relaxation. You do not have to do anything but lie there and breathe through your nose.

Moderate Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic exercise such as walking might help people who get migraines without aura, according to a 2003 study published in "Cephalalgia," the journal of the International Headache Society. What constitutes moderate intensity is somewhat subjective, but a person is typically seen as exercising at a moderate intensity if she can carry on a conversation while breathing and heart are elevated. Walking or doing other aerobic exercises consistently, such as 40 minutes a day three days a week, may lessen the intensity and frequency of migraines. The first and last 10 minutes should be dedicated to a slow warm-up and cool-down.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/264427-migraine-headache-exercises/#ixzz216F6SAbJ