Mayo Clinic defines Tension Headaches as “a mild to moderate pain that’s often described as feeling like a tight band around the head. A tension-type headache is the most common type of headache, yet its causes aren’t well understood.”
When it comes to headaches, there is a wide range of pains that people suffer from – cluster headaches, migraines, tension headaches and chronic tension type headache. Would you even believe, if we were to tell you that researchers believe that there are over 14 types of headaches that people may suffer from.
When headaches becoming a reccuring issue, they might lower the quality of life that a person is leading, and may even disrupt their ability to handle simple day-to-day tasks. Whether these recurring headaches are mild or severe, they often need to be treated immediately, in order for the person to go on about their day. While medicines do help subside the pain for sometime, most people with chronic tension type headaches don’t get much relief. Moreover, they are always on the lookout for a more long-term solution. Thankfully, they finally have something to rely on!
As you may guessed from the title of this blog, it is in fact, Infrared Therapy, that is fast emerging as the go-to treatment for people suffering from unmanageable headaches and the constant physical stress that comes along with them!
The Role of Infrared Sauna in Treating Headaches
Studies suggest that a low body temperature often leads to various health concerns, headaches being one of them. While some scientists attribute digetives issues as the leading cause of headaches, others point out tension in the adjoining muscles as the leading cause. Moreover, factors like chronic stress, drug and alcohol consumption, lack of fibre in diet, lack of or excessive exercise, unhealthy sleep patterns and pollution are also known to contribute to the problem of persistant or recurring headaches.
For people who are require a solution for their headaches, irrespective of the source of them, infrared therapy may be a viable option. Infrared can boost circulation, bringing oxygen and nutrients to any part of the body that requires pain relief, including the head. Additionally, infrared therapy can improve circulation and alleviate tight muscles, which are often responsible for head and neck pain. Discomfort or tension in any part of the body can translate to pain in the head, neck, and shoulder area, often resulting in tight shoulders.
Infrared therapy is highly effective for pain relief as it can penetrate 1.5 inches into the body, release toxins, and help soothe irritated nerve endings, reducing tension and providing rapid relief. When experiencing a tension headache, relaxation and hydration can be vital, and infrared wraps can provide the much needed relaxation to alleviate the pain whereas hydration can be tackled with a few simple tweaks in the daily routine.
The Tension Headaches Study
The Study
A study conducted by the Wellington Pain & Headache Clinic in New Zealand examined the effects of regular sauna bathing on tension headaches. The sample size consisted of 37 patients who were randomly assigned to two groups. One group received advice and education about their condition, while the other group received the same advice and education along with regular sauna bathing sessions for eight weeks. The intensity of headache pain was recorded using the numerical pain rating scale, and sleep disturbances, depression, and measurements from the Headache Disability Index were also monitored in the control group.
The Result
The results showed that the intervention group who participated in regular sauna bathing had significantly lower headache pain intensity. The researchers suggest that sauna bathing can be an effective treatment for tension headaches, regardless of whether it is a traditional or infrared sauna.
The Inference
The study that indicates a decrease in headache intensity holds true for both – a traditional sauna as well as an infrared sauna bathing.
Making the Most of Infrared Sauna Bathing for Chronic Tension Type Headache
As per Erin Knight, FDN-P, Trainer & Facilitator, Health Coach and Migraine Expert you can follow some simple tips to further benefit from infrared sauna for the treatment of headaches. According to her,
- If you tend to get migraines from exercise or other exertion, then you should not go for an infrared sauna therapy when you feel you might have a migraine.
- When you go in for a sauna bathing session, carry along ice water with a few drops of peppermint essential oil, as it may help provide extra comfort when applied on the back of your neck.
- Start with infrared sessions of 20 minutes, and build up from there to last you a full hour. This will give your body the time it needs to adjust to this new regime.
- Stay hydrated before, during and after the session to avoid dehydration headaches.
- If possible use a binder like activated charcoal, 30 minutes prior to sauna to ensure complete comfort.
We hope that you are now aware of the myriad of benefits that infrared body wraps can provide to treat your headaches, and reduce your headache pain intensity. If you wish to experience the benefits of infrared therapy, wait no more before you get in touch with us at Infra Red Body Wraps, and our experts will assist you with a customised infrared sauna plan for you, that will help you achieve a lower blood pressure, and as a result reduced instances and intensity of headaches.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Role of Infrared Saunas in Treating Headaches
How does Infrared Sauna help with migraine or other types of headaches?
Infrared therapy is believed to help alleviate migraines by increasing blood flow and oxygenation to the affected area. It also helps reduce inflammation and muscle tension, which can contribute to migraines. The heat from the infrared therapy can also help relax the muscles, which can provide relief from the pain associated with migraines.
Is infrared therapy safe for people with migraines?
Infrared therapy is generally considered safe for most people, including those with migraines. However, as with any treatment, it is important to talk to your doctor before starting infrared therapy.
What are the health benefits of using an infrared sauna?
The health benefits of using an infrared sauna include improved sleep, relaxation, detoxification, weight loss, relief from sore muscles, improved circulation, improved skin health, and reduced stress and anxiety. Additionally, infrared saunas may reduce oxidative stress, which is associated with cardiovascular disease, cancer, and degenerative diseases like dementia.
