Tokyo Summer Heat, Dehydration & Headaches

Tokyo woman suffering from a headache from hunching over a laptop.

Why Do Tokyo Summers Make My Headaches Worse?

A Holistic Guide:

Tokyo summer heat, dehydration, stress, and muscle tension may contribute to headaches. Keep reading this short post to learn causes to discomfort in this season, and holistic ways to support your body during Japan’s hottest months.

Why Do Headaches Feel Worse During Tokyo Summers? 

Head pain can be caused by a series of reasons but many individuals notice that their headaches can be worsened in the summer months. This is due to increase in heat and humidity, dehydration, changes in your sleep schedule, long days spent in the air conditioning, and more time spent on your screen (worsening posture). 

How Neck and Central Nervous System Disrupters Can Cause Headaches.

 

There is a strong correlation between your neck, central nervous system, and headaches. Not every headache starts in the head itself. In some cases, structures in the upper neck may contribute to pain that is felt in the head. Muscles, joints, and nerves in the upper neck interact with sensory pathways involved in head and facial pain. Pain in the body can often be "referred," meaning the cause is located in one area of your body but its physical reaction is being felt in another location. Muscle tension can be caused by staying in one position for too long. This can be worsened in the summer by frequent phone usage and stress from the sun, both contributing to tight or fatigued muscles around the neck. Limited movement variety and physical strain may contribute to neck discomfort or headache symptoms in some people.

How Neck Tension May Contribute to Headaches in Tokyo

Everyday life in Tokyo could be a reason you are experiencing worsened head pain. Not to say Tokyo is the root cause, merely the summertime routine could be a trigger to head pain. Long laptop hours, smartphone usage during long commutes on the train, extended periods of sitting, and overall reduced movement all play a role in the formation of headaches. Many individuals resort to spending their days sitting inside with the Air Conditioning. This can lead to several negative side effects including: dehydration, shock to your nervous system with sudden temperature swings, and circulating trapped pollutants. While Tokyo is one of the greatest cities to live in, small adjustments in everyday life can relieve future discomfort. 

While not every headache can be caused by the neck, headaches have many causes. It's important to document your symptoms, the timing, and changes in routine. New, severe, persistent, or unusual headaches should be assessed by your licensed healthcare provider for immediate action.

Holistic Solutions to Untreated Pain

If you have attempted possible solutions with your doctor and been left with missing puzzle pieces, or non-evident results, a holistic viewpoint may offer some insight to resolving your pain. Consultations with fluent English-speaking chiropractor, Dr. Ariel Thorpe, DC, can be booked through this link. Feel free to reach out to Electra Chiropractic for a recommendation in your area if you are not currently residing in Tokyo.

Dr. Ariel Thorpe, DC, is used to working with tourists visiting Japan seeking chiropractic care, so if this applies to you, feel free to book an appointment. A chiropractic assessment may help identify movement restrictions, areas of tension, or other factors that could be contributing to your symptoms. It is our mission to help our clients identify the root causes of their discomfort, and align their lifestyle choices to be the healthiest, best suited version possible. 

Electra Chiropractic thanks you for reading today's post! Please remember to stay hydrated, well fed, and well adjusted this summer!