Better
Living Staff Writer
Exercise
is a tricky area when it comes to migraines. For me, sometimes exercise eases
the migraine pain to the point that I forget about it, but sometimes it
increases the pain to the point that my day is ruined. And for some people,
exercise can be a migraine trigger. So what is the right and wrong way to
exercise if you suffer from migraines?
If
exercise is a trigger for you, there are things you can do to prevent the
headache. The American Headache Society suggests a three-step process.
·
First, stay hydrated before, during, and after
exercise. How do you know if you’re hydrated? Your mouth should not feel dry,
and you should be sweating if you are exercising at a moderate or vigorous
level.
·
Second, make sure you eat about an hour and a
half before exercising. Protein is ideal for keeping your blood sugar stable
during exercise.
·
Third, make sure you warm-up. Jumping into
vigorous exercise can be a migraine trigger. A five minute walk or jog along
with some stretching should have you ready to go.
Exercise
releases endorphins, which are great for pain management. But over-doing it can
aggravate your migraine symptoms. So if you already have a headache, low-impact
is the way to go. Yoga can sometimes help, as practicing good posture and
stretching can reduce your migraine by relieving pressure from your shoulders,
neck, and head. Walking and low-impact
aerobics can also provide you with an endorphin boost without aggravating your
pain.
Every
migraine sufferer is different. For more ideas on managing your pain through
exercise, contact Better Living at (734) 747-0123.
http://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/patient/conditions/headache/exercise-tips-migraines-headaches
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