Tension headaches affect millions of people every day. According to Medline Plus, tension headaches are among the most common types of headaches, and are considered chronic when they occur a few times weekly, over a period of many months. Tension headaches cause a tight band of pain across the scalp, which can spread to the neck and shoulders. Treatment for chronic tension headaches often involves medications in addition to lifestyle changes.
Prevention: Lifestyle Changes
Like migraines, tension headaches may be triggered by things in the environment. Medline Plus lists a few of these potential triggers as alcohol, caffeine and cigarette smoke. By avoiding some of these triggers, chronic tension headache sufferers may reduce the frequency or severity of their headache attacks. Muscle tension, especially in the neck and shoulders, is also a potential trigger. The Mayo Clinic reports that in addition to stress, anxiety and poor prolonged posture can also lead to tension headaches. Although stress is often unavoidable, practicing relaxation along with better posture can help stave off the onset of tension headaches.
Painkillers
A person suffering from a tension headache often experiences severe head pain, and the pain may spread to the neck and shoulders. Once a headache begins, the pain can be treated either with over-the-counter or prescription painkillers. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium are commonly used to treat tension headaches. Some people use acetaminophen or aspirin, either alone or combined with caffeine, to treat their tension headaches. However, the Mayo Clinic warns that these medications do not always fully relieve pain, and may actually be counterproductive: they can trigger what are known as medication overuse headaches. Severe tension headaches may be treated with prescription narcotics; however, the Mayo Clinic reports that this is not common.
Effects of Prophylactics
Prophylactic medications are those taken to ward off chronic tension headache attacks, or to reduce their severity in advance. These medications are taken daily as a preventative measure. Antidepressants, especially tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline, are commonly prescribed for tension headache prevention. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, may also be used; however, the Mayo Clinic reports that they are not as effective as tricyclics against tension headaches. Anti-seizure medications and muscle relaxants may also be prescribed to ward off chronic tension headaches. A person taking a prophylactic for tension headache prevention may also continue to require painkillers to treat breakthrough headaches.
Benefits of Alternative Medicine
Medications are not the only treatment options for chronic tension headache pain. Many people are turning to complementary and alternative remedies for headache relief. These include yoga, acupuncture, massage and guided imagery or meditation. These techniques may decrease the type of muscle tension that can bring on a tension headache. The Mayo Clinic mentions both acupuncture and massage therapy in its guide to tension headache relief; however, before using any alternative headache remedy, consult a physician.
Prognosis for Tension Headaches
According to Medline Plus, muscle tension headaches usually respond well to medical management. However, like most types of chronic pain, chronic tension headaches can have a negative impact on a person's life. It may take some time to find a combination of treatments and prevention that provide enough relief.
