Q Can I exercise if I have migraines? I heard exercise can actually trigger a headache.
A Avoid vigorous exercise during an attack, but regular aerobic exercise (3 to 5 times a week, 30 minutes) is effective for migraine prevention. A thorough warm-up can reduce exercise-triggered headaches.
Detailed Answer
Regular aerobic exercise has been shown in several RCTs to reduce migraine attack frequency and lower intensity, offering a preventive effect. However, for some people high-intensity exercise can itself become a migraine trigger, so you should adjust intensity while monitoring your own response. Adequate hydration and a warm-up before exercise are important.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At Dongjedang we recommend moderate-intensity aerobic exercise that gently circulates Qi and Blood (brisk walking, swimming, cycling) rather than vigorous exercise. Neck and shoulder stretching relieves the tension of stiff muscles that obstruct cerebral blood flow, directly helping migraine prevention. While taking brain-clearing herbal medicine, energy tends to be more stable than usual, so sustaining exercise often becomes easier.
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