Overviewing Personalized Exercise Strategies for Migraine Management From AHS Scottsdale 2024: Anna Pace, MD

WATCH TIME: 5 minutes

“The most important thing that seemed to be discussed across all of the studies is consistency. So whichever type of exercise a [patient] tries to pursue is really important [for them] to keep up with it.”

Migraine, a prevalent neurological disorder affecting approximately, is characterized by recurrent headaches often accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light, and sound with physical activity frequently exacerbating symptoms. In some cases, migraine is accompanied by an aura, manifesting as focal neurological symptoms before or during the headache phase.1 This debilitating condition impacts daily life, causing work absences and social withdrawal, and imposes significant economic burdens. Despite the availability of pharmacological treatments, many patients experience limited efficacy, adverse effects, or adherence challenges, underscoring the need for effective nonpharmacological preventive strategies.

Exercise is widely recognized for its benefits in managing chronic pain conditions, including those often comorbid with migraine, such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. It has also been associated with improved self-esteem, which may contribute to alleviating migraine symptoms. However, some patients report exercise as a trigger for migraine attacks, leading to reduced physical activity during interictal periods.1 Furthermore, routine physical activity commonly exacerbates pain during migraine episodes and is included in the diagnostic criteria by the International Headache Society. These contrasting effects highlight the importance of tailored exercise regimens to maximize benefits and minimize potential triggers.

At the 2024 American Headache Society's (AHS) Scottsdale Headache Symposium, held November 14-17, in Scottsdale, Arizona, attendee Anna Pace, MD presented in a wellness session on exercise and migraine. In a recent interview with NeurologyLive^®, Pace, an assistant professor of neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, talked about how healthcare providers could address patients' concerns about exercise potentially triggering migraines while encouraging physical activity. She also spoke about the factors that clinicians should prioritize when recommending specific types of exercise for migraine management. Moreover, Pace discussed how future research could standardize and compare exercise regimens to identify the most effective strategies for migraine relief.

REFERENCES
1. Amin FM, Aristeidou S, Baraldi C, et al. The association between migraine and physical exercise. J Headache Pain. 2018;19(1):83. Published 2018 Sep 10. doi:10.1186/s10194-018-0902-y