Tension headaches, previously known as muscle contraction headaches, are characterized by dull aches, pressure, or tightness on both sides of the head. They can be categorized into frequent or infrequent episodic and chronic types.
What are tension headaches?
How are tension headaches diagnosed?
Tension headaches typically do not require an official diagnosis if they are not very severe or frequent and do not occur secondary to another health condition. Tension headaches can be differentiated from other types of headaches because they usually respond to over-the-counter treatments such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.[3][4]
What are some of the main medical treatments for tension headaches?
Most often, tension headaches are treated with over-the-counter treatments including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), and naproxen (Aleve). Other commonly used medications include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and aspirin. Botulinum toxin (botox) injections have been used with limited success. To avoid the development of chronic headache, it is recommended that these treatments are used no more than two times weekly.[3]
Have any supplements been studied for tension headaches?
Whether certain dietary supplements help tension headaches has not been explored at length in clinical research or clinical guidelines. Limited research has been conducted with melatonin, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), and riboflavin.[5][6]
Are there any other treatments for tension headaches?
Certain modalities are beneficial for stress reduction and also seem to help reduce tension headaches. Some examples include acupuncture, chiropractics, trigger point therapy, massage, magnet therapy, and others.[3]
What causes tension headaches?
The exact cause of tension headaches is unknown and can differ if the tension headache is infrequent or frequent (chronic). Some research suggests that the pain occurs from muscle tenderness and nerve sensitization on the outside of the head. This can be brought on by stress, poor posture, and possibly weak neck muscles. Increased frequency of tension headache is thought to occur because the nerves around the head become more and more sensitive over time.[3][7] Episodic headaches can be secondary to factors such as poor sleep, muscle tension, eye strain, low blood sugar, and others.[8]
Examine Database: Tension Headache
Research FeedRead all studies
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Frequently asked questions
What are tension headaches?
When do I need to see a doctor for a headache?
Quick answer:
See a doctor for a headache if it is sudden and severe, is the worst ever experienced, or if it occurs with other concerning symptoms like fever or neurological issues. Additionally, headaches that worsen with position changes, start after age 50 or after pregnancy, or are worse in the morning may also warrant medical attention.
Certain red-flags can differentiate between ordinary tension headaches and more serious conditions:[8]
- The headache is sudden and severe, and reaches maximal intensity immediately.
- The headache is the “worst of your life”.
- The headache occurs upon performing the Valsalva maneuver (bearing down), possibly while lifting a heavy object, straining during a bowel movement, or having sexual intercouse.
- The headaches only started after 50 years of age or after pregnancy.
- The headaches worsen or improve when changing positions from sitting up to laying down (or vice-versa).
- The headaches are worse in the morning, and get better during the day on most days.
- Other symptoms start along with the headache (fever, muscle pain, weight loss, neurological symptoms)
Note that the following list is not comprehensive, and when in doubt, always check with a health-care provider.
How are tension headaches diagnosed?
Tension headaches typically do not require an official diagnosis unless they are severe or frequent and not attributed to another health condition. They can often be identified by their positive response to over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, which indicates that the headache is likely a tension-type headache.
Tension headaches typically do not require an official diagnosis if they are not very severe or frequent and do not occur secondary to another health condition. Tension headaches can be differentiated from other types of headaches because they usually respond to over-the-counter treatments such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.[3][4]
What are some of the main medical treatments for tension headaches?
Tension headaches are primarily treated with over-the-counter medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflmmatory drugs (ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen), acetaminophen, and aspirin. Botulinum toxin injections may also be used, but it is advised to limit treatment to no more than twice per week to prevent chronic headaches.
Most often, tension headaches are treated with over-the-counter treatments including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), and naproxen (Aleve). Other commonly used medications include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and aspirin. Botulinum toxin (botox) injections have been used with limited success. To avoid the development of chronic headache, it is recommended that these treatments are used no more than two times weekly.[3]
Have any supplements been studied for tension headaches?
There has been limited research on dietary supplements for tension headaches, and some studies were conducted on melatonin, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), and riboflavin. Overall, the effectiveness of these supplements has not been extensively explored in clinical research or guidelines.
Whether certain dietary supplements help tension headaches has not been explored at length in clinical research or clinical guidelines. Limited research has been conducted with melatonin, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), and riboflavin.[5][6]
How could diet affect tension headaches?
The relationship between diet and tension headaches has not been extensively studied in clinical research or included in clinical guidelines. Therefore, the effect of diet on tension headaches remains unclear.
Are there any other treatments for tension headaches?
Various treatments for tension headaches include acupuncture, chiropractics, trigger point therapy, massage, and magnet therapy, all of which can aid in stress reduction. These modalities are beneficial in alleviating tension headaches.
Certain modalities are beneficial for stress reduction and also seem to help reduce tension headaches. Some examples include acupuncture, chiropractics, trigger point therapy, massage, magnet therapy, and others.[3]
What lifestyle considerations can help prevent tension headaches?
Quick answer:
To prevent tension headaches, consider lifestyle factors such as quitting smoking, reducing stress, staying hydrated, maintaining good posture, ensuring adequate rest, managing eye strain, and consuming proper nutrition. Implementing these strategies can help mitigate the risk of developing tension headaches.
Lifestyle factors such as smoking cessation and stress reduction can prevent tension headaches. Below is a non-comprehensive list of factors to consider when trying to determine preventative actions.
- Water consumption: Based on activities and environment, headaches can be secondary to dehydration. If you think this is the case, drinking a few glasses of water may help.
- Posture: Sitting hunched over a computer or in a car for a prolonged period of time or waking up in a strange position may cause a tension headache. Doing 10-15 minutes of light stretches or a self-massage may help.
- Adequate rest: Most adults sleep 6-8 hours to feel refreshed the next day, and insufficient sleep may lead to tension headaches.
- Eye strain: Prolonged focusing on small text or staring at screens may cause tension headaches. The “20-20-20 rule” suggests that, for every 2o minutes of screen time, one should spend 20 seconds looking at an object at least 20 feet away.
- Adequate nutrition: Insufficient total energy or micronutrients may contribute to tension headaches.
What causes tension headaches?
The exact cause of tension headaches is unknown, but they may arise from muscle tenderness and nerve sensitization, which is often triggered by stress, poor posture, and weak neck muscles. Increased frequency may result from heightened nerve sensitivity, and episodic headaches can be influenced by factors like poor sleep, muscle tension, eye strain, and low blood sugar.
The exact cause of tension headaches is unknown and can differ if the tension headache is infrequent or frequent (chronic). Some research suggests that the pain occurs from muscle tenderness and nerve sensitization on the outside of the head. This can be brought on by stress, poor posture, and possibly weak neck muscles. Increased frequency of tension headache is thought to occur because the nerves around the head become more and more sensitive over time.[3][7] Episodic headaches can be secondary to factors such as poor sleep, muscle tension, eye strain, low blood sugar, and others.[8]
References
Examine Database References
- Headaches - Göbel H, Schmidt G, Soyka DEffect of peppermint and eucalyptus oil preparations on neurophysiological and experimental algesimetric headache parametersCephalalgia.(1994 Jun)
- Headaches - Göbel H, Fresenius J, Heinze A, Dworschak M, Soyka DEffectiveness of Oleum menthae piperitae and paracetamol in therapy of headache of the tension typeNervenarzt.(1996 Aug)