Exercise Associated With Lower Migraine Frequency 

According to a preliminary study that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 73rd Annual Meeting in April, more than two-thirds of people with migraine do not get enough exercise. Of 4,647 individuals with migraine, 75% with chronic migraine (>15 headache days/month), only 27% exercised for the 2.5 hours per week recommended by the World Health Organization. Those who did exercise 2.5 hours per week had lower frequency of migraine attacks and lower levels of stress, depression, and sleep problems. 

Participants in the study completed a questionnaire about the characteristics of their migraine attacks, sleep, depression, stress, anxiety, and the amount of moderate-to-vigorous exercise they got each week. Types of exercise included jogging, very brisk walking, playing a sport, heavy cleaning, and bicycling. 

The study found an association between exercise and migraine attack frequency (Table). 

“Migraine is a disabling condition that affects millions of people in the US, and yet regular exercise may be an effective way to reduce the frequency and intensity of some migraines,” said Mason Dyess, DO, University of Washington and author on the study. “Exercise releases natural pain killers called endorphins, helps people sleep better, and reduces stress. But if people with migraine are not exercising, they may not be reaping these benefits. There are new therapeutics available for migraine, but they are very expensive. People with migraine should consider incorporating more exercise into their daily life because it may be a safe and low-cost way to manage and minimize some of the other problems that often accompany migraine.”