Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache among adults and adolescents, typically felt as a mild-to-moderate band of pressure or tightness across the forehead, temples, or back of the head and neck. The cause usually involves a combination of stress and muscle tension, often related to posture.
Episodic vs. Chronic Tension Headaches
Most tension headaches are episodic meaning that these occur on fewer than 15 days a month and lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to several days. When they occur 15 or more days a month for at least three months, they're classified as chronic tension-type headaches, which can benefit from a more structured, ongoing treatment plan.
Common Causes
- Stress and mental tension.
- Poor posture, especially forward-head posture from desk or phone use.
- Muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and scalp.
- Eye strain from screens.
- Jaw clenching or TMJ dysfunction.
- Poor sleep and dehydration.
Symptoms
- A dull, aching pain or band-like pressure around the head.
- Tenderness in the scalp, neck, and shoulder muscles.
- Pain on both sides of the head, unlike the one-sided pain common with migraine.
- Usually mild to moderate, and typically not worsened by routine physical activity.
Tension headaches usually don't cause nausea or sensitivity to light and sound the way migraines often do which is a useful clue in telling the two apart.
When to Seek Urgent Care
Most tension headaches are not dangerous, but certain symptoms deserve prompt medical attention: a sudden, severe headache unlike any you've had before; a headache with fever and a stiff neck; a headache following a head injury; or a headache accompanied by weakness, numbness, confusion, vision changes, or difficulty speaking. If you experience any of these, seek emergency care rather than scheduling a routine visit.
How We Diagnose It
Diagnosis is largely based on your symptoms and a hands-on exam of your neck, shoulder, and scalp muscles, along with an assessment of your posture and range of motion. Because neck and jaw dysfunction so often play a role, we evaluate the cervical spine and jaw as part of every headache visit.
Treatment for Tension Headaches
Treatment usually combines a few complementary therapies to relax the muscles involved, restore normal joint mobility, and reduce the frequency of your headaches. Your plan may include:
- Chiropractic adjustments to the neck and upper back to restore normal joint motion and relieve muscle tension that contributes to headaches.
- Soft tissue and trigger point therapy for the neck, shoulder, and scalp muscles.
- Medical massage to reduce overall muscle tension.
- Postural and ergonomic correction to address desk setup and phone habits that contribute to tension buildup.
- Guided stretching and strengthening exercises for the neck and upper back
- Acupuncture as a drug-free option for pain relief.
Our comprehensive treatment protocols help restore normal function while improving mobility and reducing pain and often reducing both the frequency and intensity of tension headaches over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a tension headache and a migraine? Tension headaches typically cause dull, band-like pressure on both sides of the head without nausea or light sensitivity, while migraines are often one-sided, throbbing, and accompanied by nausea or sensitivity to light and sound.
Can posture really cause headaches? Yes. Forward-head posture and desk work place ongoing strain on the neck and upper back muscles, which is one of the most common contributors to tension headaches we see.
Can a chiropractor help with tension headaches? Yes. Cervical spine adjustment combined with soft tissue therapy is a well-supported, conservative approach for reducing tension headache frequency and severity.
How soon will I feel better? Many patients notice relief within the first few visits, with an ongoing plan to reduce how often headaches occur.