Muscle contraction headache: what to know

A muscle contraction headache often causes steady pressure from tense scalp, neck, or jaw muscles. It may follow prolonged screen use, stress, poor posture, missed meals, dehydration, or disrupted sleep, and it may occur without nausea.

Pain may sit across the forehead, temples, or the back of the head, with tenderness in the scalp, neck, or shoulders. A cold, Common Cold, COVID-19, Allergic Rhinitis, or Chronic Sinusitis can add facial pressure or headache. Generalised Anxiety Disorder may maintain muscle tension. Heat Exhaustion and Dehydration can cause headache with thirst, dizziness, weakness, or heavy sweating. Dengue Fever needs medical attention when headache accompanies fever and marked body aches, especially after mosquito exposure.

Pause close-up work, relax your jaw, adjust the screen to eye level, and gently stretch the neck and shoulders. Drink fluids and eat regularly. A quiet, dim room and a warm or cool pack may help. A pharmacist can advise on suitable pain relief; frequent use can itself contribute to recurring headaches, so seek advice if you need medicine often. Keep a diary of timing, triggers, associated symptoms, and what helps.

Seek emergency care for a sudden severe headache, new weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, fainting, confusion, seizure, stiff neck with fever, or headache after a significant head injury. Arrange prompt review for a new pattern, worsening frequency, vision changes, persistent vomiting, or headache with high fever or a rash.

Ask whether the pattern fits a tension-type headache or another cause, whether your medicines or vision could contribute, and how to use pain relief safely. Ask which symptoms mean you should seek urgent care.