What your migraines can do for you...

30th March, 2011 - Issue # 1 - Physical Exercise

Physical – Emotional – Intellectual – Social – Spiritual – Financial

Editors Note: Our Migraines can keep us healthy – if we let them - if they are not from an exercise induced headache! I hope these tips help you find your way to appropriate exercise that will reduce the frequency and severity of your migraines. I am a lucky Blood Type A so I do Tai Chi and Yoga. The additional benefits are just icing on the cake! No not chocolate....that’s a trigger!

What is the right exercise for Migraineurs? It used to be that a rigorous cardiovascular workout was recommended for migraine sufferers. I was always told to swim to move the shoulders and neck muscles, and do aerobic exercises. I now believe that every little bit of physical movement helps ... you don’t have to do a heavy workout to help your migraines. As a matter of fact Dr. Peter D'Adamo’s – Eat Right for Your Blood Type says that different blood types need different kinds of exercise:

Type A needs a relaxing routine like: Hatha Yoga, Tai Chi and meditation, massage, progressive muscle relaxation and deep breathing exercises to reduce cortisol levels.

Type B’s need to balance intense energising regular routines with meditative activities like: “tennis, martial arts, cycling, hiking and golf.”

Type O needs to do intense energising regular routines “three to four times per week”. This includes: weight training, aerobics, running, biking, and swimming for “thirty to forty five minutes at least four times per week”.

Type AB needs to combine “both calming activities and more intense physical exercise to help maintain an optimal balance”. So one example is to do “three days of aerobic exercise such as running or biking and two days of calming exercise such as yoga or tai chi”.

Obviously it is not advised (and is impossible) to exercise during an attack, but being active around them or between the attacks, if you can tolerate it, is best. Walking, swimming, stretching, Pilates, Yoga, Tai Chi - it is all recommended and it’s all beneficial. Choose what you enjoy the most and “Just Do it!” as the Nike ad says. But be careful – we all have our own breaking points! Don't give yourself an exercise induced headache. Choose enjoyment!

If you are unable to exercise try my “do it yourself” acupuncture or acupressure at home.

Do you have stories?

Ideas? Feedback? Comments? I’d love to hear from you. Or do you have a question you’d like to ask the editor on this topic? If so please click here to Contact Me. I will respond as soon as possible.

Here’s an example of what works for Migraine relief! What to eat when and what to take for extra nutritional support.

ENJOY! Oh...before I forget!

Please send this to your friends and family. It’s time to spread the word and educate our loved ones! So go to my home page at www.MigraineSavvy.com and subscribe for free.

Talk to you next month, until then, I wish you Migraine FREE days.