How to Get Permanent Relief From Chronic Tension Headaches

Tension headaches, also called tension-type headaches, are the most common type of the condition. Up to 80 percent of adults experience this type of headache at one time or another. Tension headaches, also referred to as stress headaches, are usually triggered by some type of environmental or internal factor.
Daily stress can lead to chronic tension headaches, which are categorized as such when they occur more than 15 days a month. Luckily, treatments are available, the most effective of which is usually a combination of healthy habits, using medication as prescribed and finding non-narcotic solutions.

Things You'll Need

• Journal
• Pain medications
• Heat or ice

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Instructions

Relieving Tension Headaches

• 1

  See your doctor. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you try to treat chronic tension headaches on your own, overuse headaches can result from repeated use of over-the-counter medication.

• 2

  Take medications as prescribed. Your doctor may recommend analgesics for pain relief or combination medications that include caffeine or sedatives. If pain relievers don't help, she may prescribe an antidepressant or anticonvulsant to prevent tension-type headaches.

• 3

  Apply heat or ice to sore muscles to relieve a tension headache. If you prefer a warm treatment, try a heating pad set on low, a hot water bottle or a hot towel. If you prefer the cold approach, try an ice pack wrapped in a cloth.

• 4

  Try different stress management techniques. Allow yourself more time to relax. Try biofeedback, meditation or deep breathing exercises. Nontraditional therapies such as acupuncture and massage may also offer relief for stress-induced headaches. Counseling may help you identify headache triggers and work toward successful coping mechanisms.

• 5

  Make healthy lifestyle choices. Be sure to include some form of exercise in your daily routine and consume healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Drink alcohol only in moderation and don't smoke.

• 6

  Monitor symptoms and results in a journal. To get permanent relief from chronic tension headaches, it is important to pay attention to when you get them and what may have triggered them, such as poor posture, lighting, stress or certain foods. As you follow your doctor's instructions for medication or other forms of treatment, keep track of what works and what doesn't.