How to Treat Tension Headaches

There are many theories on how to treat tension headaches, but some of them are less invasive than others. Tension headaches are the most commonly experienced headaches, and every person’s personal experience with them is different. Generally the pain is pressure-like and constant, and can last anywhere from a few minutes to hours. People who chronically suffer from tension headaches often find it difficult to find effective, long-term relief. It’s important to explore all treatment options available to you, so you have the best chance of finding something that actually works.

Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

Many people are unsure of how to treat tension headaches. Some sufferers don’t seek medical attention and try to simply treat the pain on their own. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, are often the first treatment used. However, repetitive use of over-the-counter pain medication can actually result in more headaches. Stronger prescription pain relievers like opiates or narcotics are not recommended, due to their side effects and risk of dependency.

Preventative Medications

When looking at how to treat tension headaches, preventative medications can be a great option. Doctors can prescribe medications that reduce the intensity and frequency of headaches. These can be particularly useful for those with chronic tension headaches. Some examples of commonly prescribed preventative medications include antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and anticonvulsants. Studies have shown some success with such drugs, but they are serious medications and should be carefully monitored by a doctor to avoid dependence and negative side effects.

Neurofeedback Therapy

For people trying to learn how to treat tension headaches, neurofeedback therapy is quickly emerging as a helpful and effective tool. Neurofeedback is basically guided exercise for the brain that seeks to retain dysregulated brainwave patterns. By bringing your brainwave patterns back to a healthy, organized pattern the brain becomes more stable and operates more efficiently. In addition to tension headaches, neurofeedback therapy has been shown to manage a number of other neurological conditions including insomnia, chronic pain, anxiety, and migraines. To find a neurofeedback practice near you, click here.

Finding Your Healthy Balance

As anyone trying to figure out how to treat tension headaches already knows, it doesn’t matter where relief comes from as long as it actually comes! Headaches can be crippling, but make sure you are proactive about finding a treatment that works for you. Talk to your doctor, read up on tension headache treatments, and even try talking to other tension headache sufferers about what they’ve found works for them. Only you can tell what works for you, so don’t be afraid to try a number of options in your search for the best tension headache reliever.