Therapeutic exercise
Aerobic Walking for Migraine
Migraine-specific aerobic protocol (Varkey et al., 2011). Moderate sustained heart rate reduces frequency and intensity of attacks in 50% of patients after 3 months.
How to perform
- Starting position. Walk at a pace that raises your heart rate to 60–70% of estimated maximum (220 – age).
- Step 2. Maintain that pace for 30–40 continuous minutes.
- Step 3. Practice in an environment with adequate hydration and without extreme sun exposure.
- Return. Avoid starting during an attack — wait for an inter-ictal period.
When not to perform
- Active migraine attack
- Migraine with aura with a history of stroke
- Decompensated cardiovascular disease
Medical disclaimer. These exercises are presented for informational purposes only. Always consult your physician before starting any exercise program, especially in case of acute pain, recent injury, or underlying clinical condition.
Related Exercises
Wall Sit
Isometric quadriceps strengthening in a closed kinetic chain. Provides controlled axial load while respecting the pain threshold in osteoarthritis.
Stationary Cycling
Closed-kinetic-chain aerobic exercise on a stationary bike — cycling preserves the joints without impact while maintaining cardiovascular conditioning in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis.
Aerobic Walking for Depression
Depression-specific aerobic protocol with dosing based on meta-analyses (Schuch et al., 2016). Antidepressant effect comparable to medication in mild-to-moderate depression when practiced consistently.