Tension headache symptoms
Signs
and symptoms
Tension headache symptoms are often
described as continually occurring pressure, being pounded by a hammer.
The pain from these headaches are felt on both sides of
the head at once. Tension-type headache can be described in terms of pain from mild to moderate, but can get severe.
Tension-type headaches can be episodic
or chronic. Episodic headaches are defined as tension headaches that are
fewer than 15 days a month, and chronic tension headaches occur 15 days or
more a month for at least 6 months. These headaches can last from days, to months but the typical tension headache lasts
4–6 hours.
Cause
Various factors may
cause tension-type headaches in vulnerable individuals:
- Stress
- Not enough sleep
- Fear of facing reality
- Not eating right
- Bad vision
Researchers have said much of the tension that bring on these headaches come from emotions. Consider this, is your mind full of uncertainty, cluttered with problems, afraid of failure not knowing what to do? If these things bring on tension headaches, it could be a sign that you need to stop what you are doing and relax. Message therapy is suggested here.
Treatment
Episodic tension-type headaches generally respond well to over-the-counter sedative such as ibuprofen, paracetamol/acetaminophen, and aspirin. Analgesic/sedative combinations are widely used (e.g., analgesic/antihistamine combinations like Syndol, Mersyndol and Percogesic, analgesic/barbiturate combinations such as Fiorinal). Frequent use of analgesics may, however, lead to addiction.
The first-line treatment for chronic tension type headache is amitriptyline, whereas mirtazapine and venlafaxine are second-line treatment options. Other medication options include topiramate and sodium valproate (as prophylaxis). Biofeedback techniques may also help.
Manual therapy
Spinal manipulation is one form of manual therapy used for tension headaches symptoms, as well as soft tissue therapy, and myocardial trigger point treatment. A 2006 systematic review found no rigorous evidence supporting manual therapies for tension headache and thought that it was probably more effective for tension headache than for migraine. A 2004 Cochrane review found that spinal manipulation may be effective for migraine and tension headaches.
For more information about tension headaches, the symptoms, cause, treatment, and manual therapy click here: tension headache symptoms