What should you know about temple tension headache?

Tension-type headache often feels like pressure, a band, or tenderness rather than a strong pulse. It may affect both temples, the forehead, or the back of the head, and tight muscles can make the scalp or jaw sore. Long screen sessions, awkward posture, jaw clenching, stress, poor sleep, or missed meals may contribute. Nausea and strong light sensitivity are less typical, though symptoms can overlap with other headache patterns. A symptom page about Headache can help you compare common features, but a clinician is needed when the pattern is uncertain.

Pause close work, adjust your chair and screen, relax your jaw, and move your neck and shoulders gently. Eat and drink regularly, take a quiet break, and use a warm or cool compress according to comfort. A pharmacist can advise whether a suitable pain reliever is safe with your other medicines and health conditions. Keep a diary of sleep, stress, posture, jaw clenching, meals, and headache timing. A GP Consultation may help if headaches recur, interfere with life, or do not respond to sensible self-care.

Seek emergency help for a sudden severe headache, weakness, numbness, speech or vision problems, confusion, collapse, seizure, fever with a stiff neck, or pain after a head injury. Arrange prompt assessment for a new headache that is progressively worsening, repeatedly wakes you, or comes with persistent vomiting or unexplained fever. Do not assume recurring temple pain is tension if its pattern changes.

Ask whether your symptoms fit tension-type headache, how posture or jaw clenching may be involved, which exercises are suitable, and when recurring pain should be reassessed.