

Regularly practicing yoga may facilitate an ANS-mediated antimigraine effect characterized by synergistic changes in: brain waves, endothelial function, hormones, inflammatory biomarkers, neurotransmitters, oxidative stress, etc. Imbalanced ANS activity may perpetuate sympathetic dysfunction, thereby increasing proneness to migraine attacks. For this reason, some speculate that the chief mechanism by which yoga reduces occurrence of migraine attacks is through modulation of the ANS (autonomic nervous system). In any regard, most types of yoga are thought to promote mental and physical relaxation. Therefore, it must be questioned whether the mechanisms associated with yoga’s therapeutic value could be related to the specific yoga subtype practiced. Certain types of yoga may yield neurophysiological adaptations (over time) that are slightly or markedly different from those resulting from another.

There are numerous types of yoga that a migraine patient may choose to practice. It is difficult to pinpoint the specific mechanism(s) by which yoga may prevent or reduce the occurrence of migraine attacks. How Yoga May Prevent Migraine Headaches (Mechanisms) If you suffer from debilitating migraines, and haven’t tried yoga, it may be something to consider. The antimigraine effect provided by yoga is mediated via the autonomic nervous system – markedly altering neurophysiology to buffer future migraine attacks. As a result, some migraine patients have turned to non-pharmacological such as yoga in attempt to prevent migraine attacks.Įmerging research indicates that yoga therapy may effectively decrease the frequency of migraine attacks, as well as enhance the antimigraine properties of prophylactic medications. Furthermore, many individuals remain concerned with potentially deleterious long-term effects of migraine prophylactics and adverse events associated with abortive therapy (e.g. Others may experience a worsening of migraine symptoms resulting from medication overuse. However, pharmaceutical interventions are not always utopian – some patients may find them ineffective, intolerable, and/or too costly.

Outcomes among migraine patients using combined prophylactic and abortive pharmacology are generally favorable. Most individuals with migraines utilize a combination of prophylactic and abortive medications for symptomatic relief. Although migraine is among the most common neurological disorders in both men and women, nearly double the number of women are diagnosed with the condition. Estimates suggest that for every 1 million persons in the general population, a total of 3000 migraine attacks will be experienced on a daily basis. Migraines are characterized as intermittently-occurring, painful, throbbing headaches resulting from transient vasodilation of intracranial blood vessels.
