|
Treating tension headaches
Tension-type headaches are treated using several different strategies, including stress management/relaxation training, counseling, biofeedback, and medications. Regardless of the treatment, tension-type headaches are best treated when the symptoms first appear and are mild, before they become more frequent and painful.
|
|  |
|
-
Stress management/relaxation training. Both episodic and chronic tension headaches can be improved by managing stress and practicing relaxation training. Relaxation techniques include deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, mental imagery relaxation, and relaxation to music.
-
Counseling. It is helpful to recognize and treat the underlying stress and tension that are causing the headaches. Often, people have long forgotten which stressful events initiated their headaches. Counseling can help the person identify his or her headache triggers and learn useful coping methods.
-
Biofeedback. Biofeedback is another method of learning how to manage stress. During biofeedback, a series of sensors is connected to your body. The sensors detect changes in physical functions, such as muscle tension and heart rate, and provide immediate feedback through a tone or display on a computer screen. Biofeedback helps you recognize that your body is tense and practice releasing the tension through effective physical skills.
-
Trigger-point injection. This procedure is used to treat painful areas of muscle that contain trigger points, or knots of muscle that form when muscles do not relax. Many times, such knots can be felt under the skin. Trigger points may irritate the nerves around them and cause referred pain, or pain that is felt in another part of the body. A healthcare professional inserts a small needle into the patient's trigger point. The injection contains a local anesthetic that sometimes includes a corticosteroid. With the injection, the trigger point is made inactive and the pain is alleviated.
-
Medications. For symptomatic relief of episodic or chronic tension headaches, over-the-counter medications are recommended. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), aspirin, or naproxen sodium (Aleve) to relieve your headaches.
If over-the-counter pain relievers don't help, your doctor may prescribe a medication to reduce the severity and frequency of your headaches. The most effective drug for treating tension-type headaches is often an antidepressant, which provides some relief for about 65 percent of people. Benzodiazepines, butalbital combinations, and narcotics (such as codeine and oxycodone) should be avoided because these medications could become habit forming or addictive.
Keep in mind that medications don't cure headaches and that over time, painkillers and other medications may lose their effectiveness. In addition, all medications have side effects. If you take medication regularly, including products you buy over the counter, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Also, remember that pain medications are not a substitute for recognizing and dealing with the stressors that may be causing your headaches.
This section also contains information on treating tension headaches in children.
|
