Exercised To Relieve Migraines

What is a Migraine?
Migraines are intense headaches produced by restriction of blood vessels leading to the brain. Hormonal fluctuations in the body cause the blood vessels to contract and then dilate to an increased size, triggering the unbearable pain that migraines are famous for.
Prior to the onset of pain, some migraine sufferers experience auras, which are characterized by strange visuals such as flashing lights, abnormal head sensations, and difficulty concentrating.

Practice Aerobics
Everybody knows that regular exercise leads to a healthier body, but did you know that it can also help reduce and relieve the intensity of migraines? A study, which placed chronic migraine sufferers through a 6-week aerobic regiment, concluded that repeated moderate exercise can aid in reducing the intensity, frequency, and duration of the migraine. Though participants were using indoor cycling machines, there are many other techniques you could incorporate into your daily exercise routine.

1. Take a walk. If you live near a park or in a quiet neighborhood, going for a walk will not only increase your oxygen flow, but also provide for a relaxing and stress reducing activity.
2. Purchase home aerobics equipment such as a treadmill or your own indoor cycling machine. Nowadays, the cost for home exercise equipment has dramatically reduced and can be a sound investment for the home.
3. Get a gym membership and take an aerobics class. Get healthy, while youre being social!

Stress Reduction Yoga
As with routine aerobics, if yoga is used as a daily practice, there is a greater chance that the blood flow pathways will remain clear. Poses that stretch the head and neck, such as downward facing dog, cobra pose, and bridge pose are all elementary positions that can be achieved by virtually anyone. Pranayama breath exercises, which focus on the full inhalation and exhalation diaphragmatic pattern can help maintain a clear mind and reduce stress in the body.

When Migraines Attack
Though exercise can be helpful in preventing them, it can also potentially increase pain intensity when one already has a migraine. Therefore, it is not recommended to go for a jog when you have a migraine, as this could make the throbbing worse.

However, gentle exercises that dont put any additional stress on the body are recommended. Ideally, you should start these as soon as possible, as it is easier to open up your pathways at the first sign of a migraine.

Stretch your neck by first letting it slowly droop forward, letting your chin get as close to the chest as possible. Hold for a minute. Then, let it roll backwards, so the base of your head is touching your back and your eyes are looking up. Repeat this motion with your left and right side.

There are a few restorative yoga poses that some find helpful in relieving the intense pain associated with migraines. Though, it must be noted that any pose involving lowering your head below your heart will increase the pain, so all the poses previously mentioned should be avoided once the migraine has begun.

To get into one of the most relaxing poses, the corpse pose, first lay down with your arms and legs outstretched. Your palms should be faced upwards and your ankles and feet completely relaxed. It might help some to have a pillow underneath your head and knees, as well as an eye pillow, to promote total relaxation. Hold for at least 10 minutes. And if youre looking for more of a stretch, kick up your legs and recline them against a wall, your back will thank you.