How to Alleviate Chronic Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are one of the most common forms of headaches. They are frequently caused by structural imbalances in the neck, scalp and shoulder area as a result of stress, a bad back or other health complications. There are several steps you can take to help alleviate the pain of a current tension headache and begin reducing the likelihood of future headaches.
As with any medical condition, if your tension headaches persist, worsen or are accompanied by other symptoms of illness or disease, see your doctor and discuss other forms of treatment.

Things You'll Need

• Ibuprofen
• Aspirin or acetaminophen
• Caffeine
• Shower
• Antidepressant medication
• Ice pack
• Hot pack
• Massage

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Instructions

• 1

  Take ibuprofen or a combination of aspirin and/or acetaminophen and caffeine for short-term relief of a tension headache. Although these medications will only remove the symptoms and not the cause, taking a painkiller at the onset of a tension headache can help you get through the pain.
  Drinking a cup of coffee or taking a hot shower may also relieve the pain of a tension headache.

• 2

  Talk to your doctor about a prescription for an antidepressant medication such as Paxil or Pamelor. Antidepressants have been shown to be useful in alleviating chronic tension headaches and may help if your headaches persist over a long period of time.

• 3

  Apply an ice pack to your neck and the base of your skull and put a heating pad on your shoulders. The ice pack will reduce the pain in your head and the heating pad will help reduce any tension in your shoulders that may be causing the headache.

• 4

  Gently massage the areas around your temples, forehead and ears while pressing your thumbs to the base of your skull. Professional or self-massage techniques can help reduce the tension that causes chronic tension headaches.