Everyone has experienced a tension type headache (TTH) whether you are young or old. Tension type headache is the most common primary headache disorder. Although the pain from a tension headache may not be as painful as a migraine headache, it can still be annoying and affect your daily activities. The head pain can be alleviated by over-the-counter (OTC) medications but alternative medicine for tension headaches can also be helpful. Learn what you can do to help fight a tension headache.
Diagnosis of Tension Headache
The International Headache Society (IHS) defines the diagnostic criteria for tension headaches including categorization for episodic versus chronic tension headaches.
Criterias for a tension headache include 2 of the following characteristics:
- Pressure or tightening pain
- Frontal-occipital location
- Bilateral mild to moderate severity
- Not aggravated by physical activity
Other symptoms may include:
- Lasting 30 minutes to 7 days
- No nausea, vomiting, light or noise sensitivity
- Worse during emotional stress or worry
- Insomnia
- Muscle stiffness or tightness in neck, front and back of head
Tension type headache differs from migraine headache in having gradual onset, being less severe, and more constant.
Causes of Tension Headache
Common causes of tension type headaches are stress, poor posture, and depression/anxiety. These factors can lead to hippocampus atrophy, increased myofascial pain sensitivity, and decreased antinociception resulting in pain.
Treatments for Tension Headaches
Pharmacologic treatments for an acute tension headache include over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen, naprosyn, acetaminophen, and aspirin. Triptans used for migraine headaches can also be helpful for tension headaches. More invasive therapies such as occipital nerve blocks and trigger point injections can alleviate head pain.
Non-pharmacological alternative medicine for tension headaches may be preferred as another option for treating tension type headaches due to their effectiveness, ease and minimal side effect profile. Pregnant patients who cannot take medications may benefit from alternative medical treatments. These treatments include hot or cold packs, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, improved posture, stretching, massage, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), meditation and relaxation. Studies also indicate that acupuncture may be helpful for episodic and chronic tension type headaches.
The good news is that tension type headaches are not harmful and can resolve spontaneously. However, they can transform from episodic to chronic if stressful triggers are not eliminated.
Make an appointment with your headache experts at Neurotest of New York to discuss options for your tension headaches and migraine headaches.