Sedentary Lifestyle may be Linked to Headaches

New research suggests that a sedentary lifestyle may increase the risk of having frequent headaches.

The results are based on two large surveys in adults (age 20 or older) who were living in Norway. The first group of 22,397 adults was surveyed between 1984 and 1986 about their exercise habits and other health factors. Eleven years later, the participants completed a follow-up questionnaire about their headache symptoms. The second group of 46,648 adults was surveyed between 1995 and 1997 about their levels of physical activity and headache symptoms.

The authors found that people who did not exercise were 14 percent more likely to develop non-migraine headaches than those who did exercise. In addition, people who experienced any type of frequent headache at the beginning of the study were more likely to be inactive than those who did not have headaches.

The authors concluded that inactivity may increase the risk of frequent headaches and that exercise may be challenging for those already experiencing headaches. However, these results are preliminary, and more evidence is needed to fully understand the relationship between exercise and headaches.

Earlier studies suggest that yoga, an ancient system of exercise, relaxation and healing, may help reduce the intensity and frequency of tension or migraine headaches and lessen the need for pain-relievers. Although this research is promising, studies with larger samples sizes are needed to determine if yoga is an effective treatment for headaches.

References
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2.Latha M and Kaliappan KV. The efficacy of yoga therapy in the treatment of migraine and tension headaches. J.of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology 1987;13(2):95-100.
3.Latha D and Kaliappan KV. Efficacy of yoga therapy in the management of headaches. Journal of Indian Psychology 1992;10(1-2):41-47.
4.Natural Standard: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. www.naturalstandard.com. Copyright © 2008.
5.Varkey E, Hagen K, Zwart JA, et al. Physical activity and headache: results from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT). Cephalalgia. 2008 Dec;28(12):1292-7. View Abstract

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