Relief for Your Stress and Tension Headaches
Do you suffer from stress or tension related headaches? If so, you aren’t alone.
According to the World Health Organization, up to one adult in 20 has a headache every day or nearly every day.
There are many different types of headaches and many different types of treatment. In this article, we talk about relief for your stress and tension headaches.
We recently read a University of Florida paper listing some of the most effective natural headache remedies, and it confirmed what we already knew!
Hot tubs are part of the perfect stress headache relief formula!
Warm Water Immersion
Relaxing in warm water takes advantage of the water’s warmth and buoyancy to increase your blood flow and relax your muscles.
Stepping into your spa after a stressful day relaxes your head, neck, shoulders and back. The massaging jets relive tension in your muscles.
Soaking in a hot tub is a special formula for relieving your stress headache in the hot tub.
Researchers from the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago found that a bit of caffeine with ibuprofen can calm headaches even faster. Add the hot tub soak, and you speed up your circulation making both the ibuprofen and the caffeine work faster to relieve your headache.
Stretching and Exercising
Gentle stretching and an exercise regimen can greatly help in reducing tension and stress-related headaches.
Did you know that you can do your stretches and exercises in the hot tub? It’s a great way to get your exercise in while relaxing and relieving tension.
Exercising in water is great on your joints and easier on your body as the water’s buoyancy gently lifts the body. The buoyancy also reduces your body weight by 90%, relieving pressure on muscles and joints with a feeling of weightlessness.
Try these neck and shoulder stretches to reduce tension and decrease the risk of headaches that are triggered by stress and muscle irritation:
Neck and Shoulder Stretch
Keep your head level, slowly and gently turn it until you are looking straight out over one shoulder. Hold this position for 1-2 seconds, then gently move your head to look down at this shoulder. Return your head to center. Repeat the procedure with your other shoulder. Repeat the entire process five times for each shoulder. For a greater stretch, remain in each position for 10-20 seconds.
Shoulder Retraction
With your fingertips touching behind the tops of your ears and your elbows raised, squeeze your should blades together. Don’t push or pull on your neck. Hold the position for 5 seconds and release.
Upper Back Stretch
With your arms extended in front of your body, clasp your hands together. Gently pull your should blades apart, then drop your chin to your chest. Hold this position for 10-30 seconds.
Neck Retraction
Squeeze your should blades together. Gently move your head straight back, making sure to keep it level. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds, then relax. Repeat 10 times.
Chinning
Start with you head level and look straight ahead. Inhale and tuck in your chin. Then exhale and stick out your chin. Repeat 3-5 times. This exercise helps your head stay in the proper position on your neck.
Shoulder Shrug
Relax your arms at your sides, then lift your shoulders to your ears. Squeezing your shoulder blades together, rotate your shoulders to the back and then down. Repeat 10 times. Do not rotate your shoulders forward.
Massage
A great shoulder and neck massage can relieve the muscle tension caused by stress and improve circulation. All of this works together to gently take away your headache.
While a professional massage therapist isn’t always an option, you can find what you’re looking for in a hot tub.
Multiple jets relieve tension in targeted areas including your back, neck, shoulders and calves. Hot tub hydrotherapy can work to relax and massage your entire body, washing your headache away.
To Conclude
Headaches are a common ailment, and there are nearly as many types of headaches as there are treatments. Each person has to find what works for them.
What we do know from years of experience soaking in our own hot tubs, is that hydrotherapy works and hot tubs can relieve tension, stress and the ensuing headache.
If you’d like to learn more about the health benefits of Hot Spring Spas, please stop by or contact us today! We’d love to introduce you to the benefits of hot tub wellness!
This article is not a substitute for your doctor’s advice. Please consult with your physician on headache remedies. If you have any neck, shoulder, or back injuries, consult your physician before trying any of these exercises.
