Reducing Tension Headaches: What You Should Know

A tension-type headache commonly feels like pressure or a tight band around the forehead, temples or back of the head. Tenderness in the scalp, neck or shoulders can accompany it. Long screen sessions, jaw clenching, stress, poor posture, missed meals and disrupted sleep may make symptoms more noticeable. Keeping a brief diary can reveal whether headaches follow a particular routine, activity or medication pattern.

Try a steady sleep and meal routine, drink fluids regularly, and take short movement breaks during desk work. Gentle neck and shoulder stretches, slower breathing and a quiet, dim room may ease an episode. Adjust your screen height and avoid holding your phone between your shoulder and ear. Use any pharmacy pain medicine only as directed; frequent use can itself contribute to recurring headaches. A GP can help if headaches keep returning or interfere with work, sleep or daily activities.

Seek urgent help for a sudden, extremely severe headache, or headache with weakness, confusion, fainting, a stiff neck, fever, vision loss or trouble speaking. Arrange a clinical assessment for a new pattern, steadily worsening pain, repeated vomiting, a headache after a head injury, or headaches that are becoming more frequent. Headache symptoms deserve assessment even when tension seems a possible trigger.

Ask whether your symptoms fit a tension-type headache, whether your current medicines could be contributing, and which exercises or treatment plan suit your health history. Take your headache diary, including timing, triggers, associated symptoms and medicines used.