Yoga may be a useful addition to migraine care for some people. A study published in Neurology in May 2020 explored a programme of breathing, relaxation and yoga postures alongside prescribed treatment.
What did the researchers study?
The CONTAIN trial randomly assigned 160 adults with episodic migraine to medical treatment alone or medical treatment plus yoga; 114 completed the trial. The yoga group attended guided sessions three days a week for a month, then practised at home five days a week for two more months.
What did they find?
Both groups improved, but the yoga group showed greater reductions in headache frequency, intensity and medication use. The results are encouraging, although this was one study with incomplete follow-up. They do not mean that yoga will work for everyone or that it can replace migraine treatment.
What does this mean for your practice?
Discuss adding yoga with the clinician who manages your migraine. A qualified instructor can help you learn a suitable routine and adapt it to your symptoms. Continue prescribed treatment and do not change medication on your own.
Read the published trial abstract for details of the research.
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