Headache on Trampoline. Should You Be Concerned?

Jumping on a trampoline can provide excellent playtime as well as a good workout for the entire family. But what if someone encounters a headache while jumping? Are they caused by jumping on a trampoline?

Yes, you can get a headache from jumping on a trampoline, but it is very unlikely it has anything to do with the trampoline itself. Headaches come about due to exertion, dehydration, low blood sugar, or an existing condition.

In this post, you will learn more about the causes and solutions to having headaches after jumping on your trampoline.

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headache after jumping on trampoline

Headache after jumping on trampoline. What to do immediately?

If you ever feel light-headed, dizzy, or nauseous while jumping on a trampoline, it is only natural to want to stop your activity and rest until the symptoms go away. It has been said that “Time heals all wounds,” but how much time will it take to heal your headache?

As with nearly every other type of headache, the best way to cure it is by resting and drinking plenty of water.

However, your headache may be the result of dehydration or heat exhaustion brought on by jumping on a trampoline.

This can make rehydration more difficult for your body, and if you simply rest without getting rehydrated, your headache could last even longer.

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to minimize these difficulties.

  • Take a break from bouncing around on the trampoline until both you and your head have time to cool down and recover from any nausea or dizziness.
  • Sit in the shade and drink at least 8 ounces of water (or whatever amount is necessary for you). This will give your body adequate time for rehydration (as well as cooling down), which helps reduce dehydration-related headaches.
  • In addition, sitting still will help keep any nausea or dizziness at bay while you recover from leaping around so vigorously just moments before.
  • If possible, take a cold shower or bath while resting in between each series of jumps on the trampoline. The coldness helps lower core temperature by constricting blood vessels near the skin’s surface; this reduces sweating and heat loss through evaporation, which means less fluid leaving the body through sweat and also less fluid being lost through vomiting due to overexertion.

Reasons why you have a headache after jumping on a trampoline

1. Dehydration

You may be suffering from a headache as a result of dehydration. A headache produced by a lack of fluid in the body is known as a dehydration headache.

When you’re dehydrated, your brain may contract as a result of fluid loss.

As a result, the brain pulls away from the skull and creates discomfort in the form of a headache.

If you have consumed alcohol or taken medications immediately before rebounding on a trampoline, you may experience headaches too.

Solution: Rehydrate. Consume lots of water so that enough of it gets around your body and to your brain so that it can function normally again. Do not drink too much in one go, especially right before you jump as that might cause stitches or even appendicitis. Sports drinks work great too. The trick is to have a bottle of water handy and drink it throughout the day regularly. Also, if the weather is too hot outside, skip the activity altogether.

2. Poor technique

The act of jumping on a trampoline might trigger headaches in some people. This usually means you’re not landing softly enough when you jump, causing your muscles rather than your joints to absorb the force.

In fact, this could be bad for your back too.

One strategy is to begin with less difficult activities and gradually increase to higher levels of exertion.

This could mean that your trampoline time will be limited initially, and you won’t be able to perform any impressive trampoline tricks (not recommended for beginners anyway!)

Solution: You will be able to increase the length of time spent on the trampoline and the intensity of your activity level as your body adjusts to this new environment of being on a trampoline and you learn to balance, land appropriately, and absorb impact.

3. Tension in the neck

Headaches are caused by tense muscles in the neck, which can impact the entire head.

The tension of the neck muscles varies throughout the day, depending on the time of day and the type of activity engaged in.

When jumping on a trampoline, a few unlucky persons may experience increased strain and tension in their muscles.

Solution: There are a few simple tips that you can follow so that your next trampoline session can be more enjoyable. Taking deep breaths while jumping can relax your body, reducing the amount of tension. Light stretching before you start an activity can relax the muscles and get them ready. If you are always feeling tense, yoga might be suitable for you. And lastly, you can gently massage the back of your neck or perhaps ask someone to help you out.

trampoline headaches caused by neck tension

4. Lack of sleep

Lack of sleep can produce headaches in some people, which is especially true when mixed with other stressors (such as dehydration, exertion headaches, alcohol etc).

It decreases the body’s pain threshold, making us more susceptible to headaches, according to many studies.

In general, the best course of action is to address the reasons that prevent you from getting enough sleep and to aim for better sleep.

Solution: On days when you haven’t had a good night’s sleep, an afternoon nap may be preferable to jumping on the trampoline. You can always go on a trampoline when you feel better!

5. Low blood sugar

Moderate exercise, such as walking, causes your heart to beat faster and your breathing to become more difficult.

Your muscles consume more glucose, a type of sugar found in your blood. This can reduce your blood sugar levels over time, and when this happens, you can feel dizzy or get a headache.

If you are spending too many hours on the trampoline, this could easily happen to you. It is also important to be aware of fellow jumpers’ conditions (people like your kids, spouse) and advise them to take regular breaks.

Solution: Lie down in the share immediately and rest for a few minutes. Slow sip a sugary drink such as glucose or a juice box. If this is not available, food high in sugar content such as candy and doughnuts are also suitable.

6. Exertion headaches

Exertion headaches are a form of headache that occurs as a result of physical exertion.

Although the sort and intensity of activity that causes a headache vary from person to person, it almost always involves some form of continuous, severe exercise.

Solution: To begin, stretching and warm-up activities might help prevent exertion headaches. Exertion headaches arise when a person suddenly introduces a great deal of effort or energy to physical activity. Begin slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts over the next few months.

Can jumping on a trampoline hurt your brain?

Yes. The jarring of the trampoline can cause a headache in people who have suffered concussions.

If you get headaches after jumping on a trampoline, it’s important to talk to your doctor about it, so he or she can make sure there isn’t something more serious going on.

If ever you are uncertain about what is causing your headache after jumping on a trampoline, remember that the safest rule is to always err on the side of caution and talk to your healthcare provider about what steps are best for you.

Note: If you previously suffered from a concussion or serious head injury, please check with your doctor about using a trampoline or rebounder first.

Can you get a headache from jumping?

Yes, you can get a headache from jumping on a trampoline, or any other exercise.

Jumping on a trampoline (or any other exercise) is an activity that increases your heart rate and can also cause an increase in your blood pressure.

This forces the blood to flow faster through the arteries and veins, which puts more pressure on their walls.

The increased pressure can cause pain in your neck, head, or jaw that may feel like a headache.

That is the main reason why you may feel dizzy or lightheaded when you jump on a trampoline.

Can trampolines cause migraines?

Migraines are not caused by trampolines.

In fact, specialists are today still baffled as to what causes these excruciating headaches or why they endure so long.

A shift in blood flow was regarded to be one of the reasons for migraines by doctors.

Trampolines may have been thought to cause headaches because they assist boost blood flow.

Doctors are certain that migraines are frequently a hereditary trait, and that if one member of the family suffers from them, so will others in the same family.

How to treat headaches after trampolining?

If unfortunately you do develop a headache during or after a trampoline session, here are some tips that might help you alleviate some of your pain:

  • Consider using a cold pack.
    Place a cold pack on your forehead if you have a migraine. A bag of frozen veggies, ice cubes wrapped in a towel, or even a cold shower will help relieve pain. Keep the compress on your head for 15 minutes before taking a 15-minute rest.
  • Use a heating pad or a hot compress to relieve pain.
    Place a heating pad on your neck or the back of your head if you have a tension headache. Hold a warm cloth to the place that hurts if you have a sinus headache. A warm shower may also be beneficial.
  • Reduce the amount of pressure on your scalp or head.
    A headache might be caused by a ponytail that is overly tight. Wearing a cap, headband, or even swimming goggles that are excessively tight might cause these “external compression headaches.”
  • Turn down the lights
    Migraine headaches can be triggered by bright or flickering light, even from your computer screen. Cover your windows with blackout curtains during the day if you’re prone to them. Wear sunglasses when you’re outside. You could also install anti-glare screens on your computer and replace your light fixtures with daylight-spectrum fluorescent lights.
  • Hydrate
    Drink a lot of water. Dehydration can cause or aggravate a headache.
  • Consume some caffeine
    Have a cup of tea, coffee, or another caffeinated beverage. It may help relieve headache discomfort if you get it soon enough after the pain begins. It can also improve the effectiveness of over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen. Just be careful not to drink too much, as caffeine withdrawal might result in a headache of its own.
  • Medications should be used in moderation
    Pain medications for all types of headaches are readily available on pharmacy shelves. Follow the directions on the label to obtain the maximum benefit with the least risk. Liquid is preferable to tablets. It is absorbed more quickly by your body.
  • Consult a doctor
    Immediately see a doctor if the pain is sustained due to a head injury. Also, if the pain is severe or if it persists for a sustained period, you should seek medical attention.

How to avoid headaches while using your trampoline?

Now that you know so much about trampolines and headaches, you probably have a pretty good idea of how to prevent yourself from getting a headache while enjoying this fun activity.

Here is a summarized version:

  • Avoid playing on a trampoline when it is very hot and dry outside
  • Regularly drink up while playing on a trampoline
  • Install a mister to cool down (can you jump on a wet trampoline?)
  • Warm-up before starting the activity
  • Do not attempt exercises that are too intense for your fitness level
  • Be well rested before you go on a trampoline
  • Avoid alcohol or drugs that make you groggy
  • Work on your technique
  • Do not place your trampoline on hard surfaces such as concrete to prevent unwanted injuries
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Jacob Mackay
Jacob Mackay

Hi, I'm Jacob Mackay. I work as a structural engineer currently based in Tampa, Florida. Trampolines have brought a ton of fun to my family and now I wish to pay it forward through this blog. You will find a trove of well-researched articles that will help you choose the best trampolines, how to use them safely, as well as pick up a few tricks that will impress your friends and family! Connect with me on LinkedIn or learn more about Trampoline Junction!

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