Lack of exercise contributes to headaches

January 2, 2009

Physical inactivity was strongly associated with headache disorders, according to a large study by Swedish researchers published in Headache. They looked at 43,770 people with recurrent headaches and migraines and found that economic hardship and psychosocial factors (poor social support and experience of being belittled) seem to play a role in headache disorders. Of lifestyle factors, physical inactivity was strongly associated with headache disorders, while smoking to a lesser extent. Skipping breakfast, being overweight and underweight seemed to be connected to headaches.

Written by
Alexander Mauskop, MD
Continue reading
June 7, 2026
News
A new edition of my migraine book and an upcoming conversation with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
An overview of why I updated The End of Migraines: 150 Ways to Stop Your Pain for a 3rd edition, what has changed in migraine treatment, and how a more structured, realistic approach can help people who feel they’ve “tried everything.”
Read article
June 4, 2026
Research
A New Study of Meat Intake, Genetics, and Brain Health
A newly published Swedish study suggests that the relationship between diet and brain aging may be more genetically specific than previously understood. Researchers followed over 2,000 older adults for up to 15 years and found that higher meat consumption was associated with slower cognitive decline and lower dementia risk, but only in those carrying the APOE E4 genetic variant, the most common hereditary risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. This may be relevant for people with headaches.
Read article
June 3, 2026
News
Keynote address at the 22nd Annual Neuroscience Zappulla Research Day
I was honored to be delivering the keynote address at the 22nd Annual Neuroscience Zappulla Research Day on Wednesday, June 3, at the Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute, JFK University Medical Center in Edison, NJ.
Read article
Insights from Dr. Alexander Mauskop on headaches and migraines
Subscribe to the Blog.
Subscribe
Subscribe