Tips for Taming a Tension Headache

There are more than 100 different types of headaches, but they’re divided into two big classes: primary and secondary. Primary headaches are conditions unto themselves — no other condition causes them. Secondary headaches are those caused by an underlying medical problem, such as side effects of medications, cancer treatment, or depression.

There are four types of primary headaches, of which tension-type headaches (TTHs) are the most common, affecting some 70% of people at some time. The others in this category include migraine, cluster headache, and new daily persistent headache.

At Advanced Neurology Specialists, LLC, board-certified neurologist Dr. Cory Lamar and our staff treat all types of headaches at our Naples, Florida, office. As TTHs are so common, we’d like to take this opportunity to share some tips for how to get rid of them, or at least diminish their severity.

Tension-type headache symptoms

Symptoms vary from one person to the next, but most people describe TTH pain as:

• Constant mild-to-moderate pressure and pain
• Feeling like there’s a tight band or vice around the head
• A squeezing sensation
• Aching or tight neck and shoulder muscles
• Sensitivity to light and sound

These symptoms develop slowly and usually last about 30 minutes, but they can, in some cases, last as long as a week. Those with chronic TTHs may feel as if they’re never free of headache pain and pressure.

Causes of TTHs

Researchers can’t point to a single cause of TTHs, but they believe that, in many cases, the headaches start when muscles between your neck and head knot up, leading to tightening of your scalp muscles. This muscular ripple effect may occur due to stress or emotional conflict or:

• Neck strain: bending your neck to look down at screens (tech neck)
• Eye strain: staring at a computer screen or documents for long periods without breaks
• Temporomandibular jaw disorder (TMJ)
• Degenerative arthritis in your neck
• Sleep disorders like sleep apnea and insomnia
• Anxiety
• Depression

Tech neck and eye strain are two of the most preventable causes of TTHs.

Treating TTHs

Treatments vary depending on the frequency of your pain. If you have episodic (less than 14 headache days a month) headaches, Dr. Lamar may suggest over-the-counter pain relievers like:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol®)
• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®)
• Naproxen sodium (Aleve®)

If you have chronic (15 or more headache days a month) TTHs, Dr. Lamar may prescribe:

• Antiseizure drugs (used off-label) like gabapentin (Neurontin®) or topiramate (Topamax®, Topiragen ®)
• Antidepressants such as amitriptyline that relieve pain
• Alternative therapies such as biofeedback, meditation, or cognitive behavioral therapy to help manage stress

In addition, physical therapy that targets sleep apnea or TMJ issues can prove to be valuable.

Tips for taming a TTH

You can do a number of things to relieve a TTH or prevent one from happening in the first place.

Set up an ergonomic workstation

When you’re seated at your desk, your legs should be parallel with the floor, and your feet should be flat on the floor. All screens should be set to eye level.

Reduce eye strain

Remember to blink when you’re looking at screens, and take frequent breaks to prevent staring at your work for too long.

Relieve stress

Whether it’s going for a walk in the park, playing a pickup game of football, doing yoga or tai chi, or engaging in meditation or deep breathing, find ways to relieve the stress you’re carrying in your body. The less stress you have, the less pain you’ll be in.

Take medication

If the doctor prescribes a preventive medication for you, make sure you take it as directed. If you need to take medication to abort a headache, take it as soon as you notice symptoms. The earlier you treat it, the quicker you’ll be rid of it.

If you’re struggling with tension-type headaches, call Advanced Neurology Specialists, LLC’s Naples, Florida, office today at 239-667-5878 to set up a consultation with Dr. Lamar, or book online with us.