Do you find that your head just aches when you are tense? Many people come into massage therapy offices in New Jersey seeking a way to relieve the pounding, aching headaches, not to mention the tension and tightness in the neck, shoulders, chest, and head. Some people say that tension flows all the way down their body, while others find it more localized. How can you beat these tension headaches and start feeling better? Check out these top tips!

1. Fuel your engine. If you aren’t getting enough sleep, nutrition, or hydration, you’re prone to feeling more stressed and having fewer resources to get through the day. Just like you fuel your car up before a big trip, make sure your body is ready to face its challenges by fueling up!

2. Warm up or cool down. People usually love either heat or cold to help aches and pains, and tension headaches are no different. If you want to get the best feeling, even when a tension headache gets you down, try applying a heating pad or ice pack to your neck and shoulders, whichever relaxes your muscles and helps them feel the best.

3. Get moving. Wait, isn’t exercise the last think you want to do when you’re feeling sore? Not really—light exercise can loosen muscles, release pain-killing endorphins, and encourage you to feel better all day.

4. Massage it out. Research has shown that massage is an effective way to relieve the pain, pressure, and suffering of tension headaches. Whether this is a physical process of manipulating and stretching tense muscles, and emotional process of self-care, or a little bit of both, most of the visitors to Essential Massage Therapy in NJ report feeling much better after a massage!

5. Target the underlying cause. If you are really dealing with a superhuman amount of stress, no wonder your body is fighting back! If the normal stress-reducing techniques don’t touch your tension headache, you may find that the issue is with the underlying stress. Evaluate your life priorities, cut back on things that don’t bring you joy, and find a way to reclaim your life and happiness!

For more relaxation ideas, or to book a massage today, contact Essential Massage Therapy at 973-729-2400.