VA Shares Guided Head and Neck Self-Massage Video for Stress Relief

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has published a guided head and neck self-massage video intended to help relieve stress in about 15 minutes, according to a VA News post in its Live Whole Health series. The video is led by Dr. Sharon M. Weinstein of the Salt Lake City VA Health Care System, the department said.

The post, written by Andrea Young, a health system specialist with VA's Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation office, says stress can show up as a furrowed forehead, squinted eyes or a clenched jaw, and that noticing these signs offers a chance to address them.

Before starting, VA recommends sitting in a well-supported position with feet on the ground, limiting digital distractions, drinking water, washing hands, and removing jewelry. The department advises avoiding injured areas such as cuts, bruises, rashes, swelling or broken skin, and applying moderate, consistent pressure. People who bruise easily or take blood thinners should use gentle pressure, the post says.

VA describes the routine as part of its Whole Health approach and encourages veterans to contact Whole Health staff at their local VA facility to learn more about self-care. The department also noted that veterans in crisis can call 988 and press 1, or text 838255.

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/265