Tension Headaches

What are Tension Headaches?

Tension headaches are the most common, and generally affect adults and adolescents – they can affect younger children, but this is not common. During a tension headache, there may be muscle tightness in specific parts of the head, scalp and/or neck – these areas are uncomfortable and often painful.

What causes it?

The cause is not clear. Some, but probably not most, may be due to tension. This is why the term ‘tension-type headache’ is now used rather than ‘tension headache’. Many tension-type headaches develop for no apparent reason. Some may be triggered by things such as:

• Emotional tension, anxiety, tiredness or stress.
• Physical tension in the muscles of the scalp and neck. For example, poor posture at a desk may cause the neck and scalp muscles to tense. If you squint to read because you cannot see well, this may tense your scalp muscles too.
• Physical factors such as bright sunlight, cold, heat, noise, etc.

How can we help?

If poor posture and muscle tension are contributing to your tension-type headache, physiotherapy may help to relieve these symptoms. Acupuncture may relieve some of the symptoms of your tension-type headache by helping to reduce tension in your muscles.