Headaches and multiple sclerosis often go hand in hand, so
to speak. (Sure. Tell us something we don’t already know.) And, even though MS
may make exercise extra challenging, experts often suggest that physical
activity may alleviate certain types of headaches.
How many of us have groaned to hear doctors nag us about
exercising more to ease our agonizing pounding heads?
“Thanks, Doc. I’ll
get back to you on that.”
I’m not saying physicians need to pull out their
prescription pads every time we have headaches. It’s pretty easy to see why adding
more medicines isn’t always the answer. But maybe exercise isn’t the fix-all
for all varieties of headaches, either.
When your head is
throbbing, isn’t exercising just about the last thing you feel like doing?
Maybe it helps with tension headaches. Hey, working up a
head of steam might burn off some stress. An all-out workout may not fit the
bill, but a walk around the block, a gentle bike ride, or a few sets of chair
calisthenics might do the trick.
Endorphins increase with exercise (even moderate exercise).
That’s what makes runners keep coming back for more. Endorphins make us feel
better, and they even help to reduce pain. Maybe that's why a little exercise actually can help with headaches caused by tension.
But what about other
kinds of headaches?
Will exercise actually alleviate these?
- brain freeze headaches (eg, ice cream headache)
- caffeine withdrawal headaches
- cluster headaches
- dehydration headaches
- dental-related headaches
- drug rebound headaches
- encephalitis headaches
- fatigue headaches
- flu headaches
- food sensitivity headaches
- hangover headaches
- hormone headaches
- hypertension headaches
- injury-related headaches
- meningitis headaches
- migraine headaches
- overexertion headaches
- post-spinal-tap headaches
- pregnancy headaches
- seasonal headaches
- sinus headaches
- sleep apnea headaches
- spinal headaches
- TMJ headaches
- tumor headaches
- vision-related headaches
- weekend headaches
Maybe you can think of a few additional types. Some say
there are at least
150 kinds of headaches. Well, whaddya know? That’s a head-scratcher.
(Sorry, had to.)
Many of these sorts of headaches can signal serious medical
conditions or even health emergencies. If a sudden excruciating headache shows
up, particularly an unfamiliar kind of brain pain, it’s a good idea to contact
the doctor.
But for most of us
(especially MSers), headaches can be all too familiar complaints.
I get it. When the worst kind of headache hits, all I really
feel like doing is crawling under the covers in a dark, well-ventilated room to
sleep off the attack. Exercising is the last thing on my mind then.
But, when the headache finally passes, the pain-free relief
makes me want to run and dance and skip and jump for joy. Until that flurry of
activity sets off another episode.
Image/s:
Adapted
from public domain artwork
1890 lithograph by J. Williamson
You are invited to join the Kicking
MS to the Curb page on Facebook and the Making the
Most of MS board on Pinterest.
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