How to ease a tension headache

A tension headache often feels like steady pressure or a band around the head rather than a throbbing pain. Tenderness in the scalp, neck, or shoulders may occur, and long screen sessions, jaw clenching, poor sleep, stress, or skipped meals can contribute. A headache is a symptom, not a diagnosis, so a different pattern deserves attention.

Pause close-up work and let your eyes rest. Sit with your back supported, lower your shoulders, and gently move your neck without forcing a stretch. A warm shower or cool cloth may be soothing. Eat something light if you missed a meal and sip water. If you use an over-the-counter pain reliever, follow its label and check with a pharmacist if you are pregnant, have another condition, or take other medicines. Frequent pain-reliever use can itself contribute to headaches, so recurring episodes merit review.

Get urgent help for a sudden explosive headache, a headache after a head injury, new weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, confusion, fainting, seizure, fever with a stiff neck, or new vision loss. Arrange a GP consultation if headaches are new, increasingly frequent, unusually severe, or not settling with your usual measures.

Does my pattern fit a tension headache? Could my medicines, eyesight, jaw clenching, sleep, or blood pressure be contributing? Which pain reliever is suitable for me, and how often should I use it?