We fitness enthusiasts have always instinctively believed that exercise is truly the best medicine of all.

Exercise is a viable option in combating chronic head pain and is just as effective- Matthew Muscat Inglott

We proceed with our personal exercise routines secure in the total faith that our physical fitness and vitality will protect us always from diseases, keep our muscles and spirits strong, increase our ability to both work hard and play hard, and ultimately guarantee an overall superior quality of life over our less active counterparts.

Well, there’s good news for all of us: new research shows that medicine itself might not actually be the best medicine after all.

The worldwide exercise and fitness movement is continuously gaining momentum in its quest to become recognised as the foremost solution for offsetting rising public health care costs and combating the rapidly spreading obesity epidemic.

While figuratively speaking, exercise may prove to be the best medicine to treat our global health problems, research is showing that all the way down to the micro level it is literally more effective than medicine to treat some of our practical everyday afflictions too.

Thanks to some fresh research published in Sweden last week, we can now add migraines to the list.

Migraines can manifest themselves as severe localised pain contained within specific areas of the head. They can also be accompanied by sensitivity to light, nausea, and in severe cases, vomiting.

If you are a migraine sufferer, then today we will take a look at the cheapest and healthiest medicine you will ever take to ensure you will never have to entertain migraine pain again.

While medicine can help provide immediate pain relief, it is believed they actually lead to a higher frequency of attacks over the long term. Exercise works in much the opposite way. Exercising during a migraine episode is certainly not recommended as it can actually cause the pain to worsen; however we now know that it can certainly help reduce the frequency, intensity and duration of migraines over the long term.

Since stress is one possible cause of headaches, non-medical treatments for migraines traditionally include relaxation exercises. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden therefore decided to compare the effects once and for all of all the three most widely accepted preventative treatments for migraines: pharmaceuticals, relaxation, and exercise.

Their study investigated 91 migraine sufferers for an initial period of three months. One-third of the participants were given the widely-used medicine Topiramate. The next third were guided through relaxation exercises, while the final third exercised three times a week under the supervision of a physiotherapist.

They were evaluated before, throughout, and after the initial three-month period. Follow-up evaluations were also carried out three months after the end of the study period and finally, once more after six.

Upon analysing results from all three groups, the study failed to differentiate between them since all the participants reported equally positive results from their treatments. While all the treatments worked, the exercise group, however, enjoyed their results in combination with the other numerous benefits to be had from increased physical activity levels.

The single most impressive improvement shown by the exercise group included a decrease in migraine frequency by up to three-quarters in one participant.

While one might argue that anti-migraine medicine worked just as well, it is worth noting that like any medicine, its use may lead to several side effects. For Topiramate, these could include numbness and depression, while the only side effects you can expect from starting a light to moderate exercise regimen are better all-round health, fewer health problems, a more attractive figure and a better quality of life.

So if you have previously avoided exercise due to fears of making things even worse, then slip your running shoes on, because it is time to get some distance between you and your migraine pain. The key with all new exercise planning is starting out light and gradually building your intensity levels over time.

Participants in the Swedish study performed their exercise on a stationary bike at a light to moderate aerobic intensity, so cycling would be the safest place to start.

Avoid setting new squat or bench press records just yet, or indeed any strenuous heavy lifting until you have gradually conditioned yourself over time to do so. If you still find your migraine worsens immediately upon starting to exercise, you could be doing too much too soon.

If you are unwilling or unable to take medication, remember that exercise is a viable option in combating chronic head pain and is just as effective. Not only will you see equal effectiveness, but you can also enjoy the host of other benefits increased physical activity has to offer, including the prevention of other debilitating medical conditions.

The best thing of all about exercise is that unlike medication, you don’t necessarily need to pay for it; outdoor pursuits, social sports among friends and indoor bodyweight exercise routines won’t cost you a thing.

While the health and fitness industry thrives on your purchase of gym memberships, personal training and sports supplements, let us not forget that increasing our physical activity level is not something financial, but first and foremost it is an investment of time and effort above all else.

The returns on your investment are yours to enjoy, and represent a value far in excess of what money can buy.

So start your brand new exercise and fitness campaign today, and feel that nasty migraine wane.

info@noble-gym.com