The benefits of exercise to prevent an acute

[ruefreedom]

I have for some time now noticed the benefits of exercise in stoping a bad headache/migraine when it's in the process of developing. I have to catch it in time and the exercise has to provide sufficient exertion (a gentle walk won't do it). Is this unusual? I wondered if anybody else had this experience with stopping either migraines or severe headaches. Of course like everything it doesn't always work but about two-thirds of the time it does, which I think is pretty good relatively speaking. Anyway second only to taking triptans.

[Tracyai]

Hello, yes i have noticed this too! When I go for a run (couple of miles) it prevents one from escalating, this csn be difficult as all i want to do is lie down. I agree it doesn't always work and i dont always have the opportunity but its an interesting theory / topic - does exercise help in treating/ preventing migraines?

[Frodo]

I noticed recently when I had the beginnings of a migraine I was able to stop it by drinking a lot of water and then going for a walk - I was by the sea and it was very windy up on the cliffs, so my theory is that I was breathing more deeply and got more oxygen. I've tried this before though and the migraine got worse and worse, but yes, I have heard it works for some people, possibly more if you're episodic than chronic?

At the time my migraines really worsened I was doing frequent exercise, and as they worsened it was impossible to move for a lot of the time - became overweight for the first time in my life - this obviously reduces fitness level and makes everything worse in an awful vicious circle.

[designer111]

I wish! And therefore would't have to take so many tablets! I know that a migraine can develop over 24 hours, so even though I try to go for a walk and fresh air when I feel cloudy headed, it doesn't work as the migraine is building up. I wish the exercise would do it. Glad for you!

[Windflower24]

I have a background migraine and so I have to learn to deal with it everyday. Exercise(run/a gym workout) does help me relieve from it a bit. For me, during exercise, I don't feel much of migraine and afterwards, it makes me feel better. However, when I feel really dizzy and drowsy, I don't feel like exercising at all but worry that I might faint on the treadmill..

[Rachelcar]

I'm glad this worked for you but more often than not doing except use that is prolonged or hard, like a run or a really good spin class would bring a migraine on. So when one is developing doing any sort of exercise is hard as usually all I want is Triptan and bed. I have tried going for a gentle stroll to see if I can 'ride the symptoms out' but for me it just gave me an extra 30 minutes or so of feeling human before the migraine really hits.

Good luck

[Agilityaddict]

I am glad this is helping you. Unfortunately exercise is a trigger for migraine for me. I struggle to go for a gentle swim now without getting one 3-4 hours later. Tried all the usual hydration & food doesn't help. The only time I don't get a migraine is after open water swimming when the weather is cooler so my thoughts are it's related to heat. When its a hot day i am likely still to get one. Any thoughts?

[ruefreedom]

Thanks for all the responses, yes this seems to be a common theme with migraine sufferers that exercise makes things worse. I don't have a clear view on why this should be. I think in my own case my migraines are bordering on tension headaches and makes sense because I feel a lot of tension in my neck, head and shoulders. Possibly the various physiological processes triggered by intense exercising help relax the muscles or override the chemical signals that trigger a migraine. So maybe this would work for some migraine sufferers who also are experiencing a lot of stress or tension?

[georgiacrook83again1]

A couple of people I know have said the same thing. A medic I know also said that perhaps this could be due to vascular expansion.... So keep at it! Its does seem to work for some!