Tension headache treatment

How can tension headaches be treated? What are the best medications for tension headaches? Where does a tension headache hurt? Over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers are often the first treatments doctors recommend for tension headaches.

People with the chronic kind can use some of these drugs to prevent headaches. Considerations In severe cases, your healthcare provider may run tests to rule out other.

Various modalities are used in the treatment of tension headaches. These include hot or cold packs, ultrasoun electrical stimulation, improvement of posture, trigger point injections, occipital nerve blocks, stretching, and relaxation techniques. Treatments for tension headaches are available. Managing a tension headache is often a balance between fostering healthy habits, finding effective nondrug treatments and using medications appropriately. One of the most popular tension headache treatment option is relying on over-the-counter (OTC) medications (1) or painkillers that relieve the pain.

However, OTCs should be only taken in moderation and under the supervision of the doctor. Home remedies and other treatment. People can usually relieve the pain of a tension headache with over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen.

However, the overuse of such pain medications can increase the risk of episodic tension headaches developing into chronic tension headaches. If tension-type headaches are frequent, long-lasting, or associated with a significant amount of disability, then preventive treatment is recommended. Commonly used preventive strategies include medications such as amitriptyline and non-medication treatments for headache such as biofeedback, relaxation, and cognitive-behavioral therapy , acupuncture, massage therapy or physical therapy.

Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most ubiquitous headache in the general population, and is one of the most common reasons why over-the-counter analgesics are purchased. Pain medication, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, are effective for the treatment of tension headache. Tricyclic antidepressants appear to be useful for prevention. Evidence is poor for SSRIs, propranolol and muscle relaxants.

First, check that it really is a tension headache. How to Treat a Tension Headache. Usually it causes tightness or pressure in a band-like area around your forehead and head. Medicine, stress relief, and keeping up a healthy lifestyle are some of the best ways to treat and prevent your tension headaches. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others).

Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). If possible, avoid use of barbiturates or opiate agonists. Also discourage overuse of all symptomatic analgesics because of the risk of dependence, abuse, and development of chronic daily headache. Therapy to prevent the headache before it starts is a better strategy than taking pain relievers after the headache is present. Propoxyphene - a stronger medication sometimes used.

Codeine - a stronger medication sometimes used.

Analgesics - ibuprofen, paracetamol. Tension -type headache (TTH) is the most ubiquitous headache in the general population, and is one of the most common reasons why over-the-counter analgesics are purchased. Tell your doctor if you have chronic headaches or migraine during pregnancy or if you have a history of migraine. Some women with a history of migraine get fewer migraine attacks during pregnancy.

This collection features the best content from AFP, as identified by the AFP editors, on headaches and related issues, including cluster headaches , migraines, tension -type headaches , and treatment.