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Many health professionals are pleased when you complain of tired muscles
after a workout, a "no pain, no gain" sort of approach. However, when the
pain is migraine caused by overstressed muscles and pinched nerves, this
pain is anything but a reward. Funny enough, some fitness programs can work
out these painful side effects of a migraine and help the sufferer
experience some relief in the meantime.
Some migraine sufferers think medicine is the cure-all and best measure
against migraines. However, many doctors will tell you that many
preventative measures such as a routine fitness program is better path than
always relying on "abortive" or reactive measures. Of course, a fitness
program isn't likely going to rid a sufferer of all migraines. However, when
practices with other treatments, fitness plans stomp out many problems that
can trigger a migraine.
Anyone who's had a migraine can tell you it's an intensely painful
experience whereby veins pound in the head, body coordination is affected,
and muscles tighten in the face, down the neck and shoulders as well as down
the sides of the body. Many different causes can trigger a migraine. Some
research indicates that a build up of fat and allergic
reactions to many foods such as dairy, cheese, and drinks (especially wine
and beer) can send the body into a migraine. Not all migraines are food
related; some are caused by a hormonal imbalance. No matter what the cause,
a fitness plan can reduce many symptoms.
Several regular fitness programs help the body produce more "good hormones"
that many migraine victims lack or overproduce naturally. For instance, many
women have fluctuating serotonin levels during certain times each month and
find that exercise can boost or maintain its level. For some people who
exercise in hopes of boosting their
serotonin levels, they find that they can ward off feelings of depression
that can trigger a migraine. In some cases, over stimulated adrenaline also
causes migraines. By exercising, the migraine sufferer can relieve this
excess adrenaline and maintain a better balance. For migraine suffers who
have low melatonin levels that affect their ability to sleep, exercise is a
natural way to encourage one's body to create more melatonin at bedtime.
A person's muscles subconsciously work overtime during period of stress or
excitement. A fitness program that work to target these muscles helps the
migraine sufferer retrain their muscles and teaches the muscles to relax.
For example, many people tighten their neck muscles or use poor posture
during stressful times. Certain exercises teach this person to recognize
stress and apply ways to alleviate those tired muscles. A few exercise
programs that help are aerobics, meditation and Pilates. Neurologists are
suggesting some migraine sufferers to jog at least a half-hour every day to
release stress, excitement or anxiety that can trigger migraines. The amount
of time for a migraine sufferer to exercise and find the best relief
according to many doctors is at least 3 to 4 times every week at a moderate
level for a duration of about 30 minutes.
Women tend to suffer the most from migraines. In the U.S., 20% of the
population has migraines with 2/3 being women. The most frequent time that
women experience migraines is around their menstrual time. Exercise during
this time for women is best avoided since this highly hormonal period can
exasperated migraines. The best time for women to exercise is between
migraines. These fitness plans are proven to diminish migraine intensity and
frequency.
Even a highly fit person can get migraines. However, a person who regularly
exercises is less likely to encounter frequent migraines and the intensity
should be less severe. Talk with your doctor first about a fitness program
that would best work with your type of migraine. The American Council for
Headache Education www.achenet.org/articles/39.php is great resource to
learn more about migraines and fitness.
Written and copyrighted by Hayley Hattingh, the owner and
operator of Fitness Scope. For more information please visit: http://www.fitnessscope.com/archive/
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