If you answer yes to these 7 questions, then your headache is most likely a tension-type
headache.
1-Is your headache mild to moderate and does not interfere with your activities?
2-Is your headache on both sides of your head, like a headband?
3-You don’t feel nausea when you have this headache
4-Sounds and lights do not make your headache worse
5-Exercises and physical activity does not make this headache worse
6-Pain lasts a few hours and improves with simple analgesics
7-Pain is not pulsating like a heartbeat
Today, I’ll explain how to treat and prevent tension-type headaches.
This video is the fourth in a series about headaches.
My previous videos were about migraine, cluster headaches and trigeminal neuralgia.
Stay tuned to the end, and I’ll tell you about my next video in this series.
So, let’s talk about tension-type headache today.
Before I continue, let me remind you that this video is not intended to replace medical
advice.
It is for educational purposes only.
Please talk to your doctor about the diagnosis and treatment plan for you.
In case of emergency please go to the nearest emergency department or call an ambulance.
In the first video of this series, I explain what a migraine is.
It is essential to see a doctor who can diagnose you if your headache is a tension-type or
a migraine because the treatment is quite different.
For example, migraine can worsen with physical activity, but exercise generally improves
tension-type headaches.
Tension-type headaches are primary headaches, which means no illness or lesions in the head
or the brain.
Tension-type headache is caused by tension, both in the mind and body.
It is a pain caused by sensitization of the pain system.
Watch my other video about central sensitization.
When we are under stress, we may become anxious, worried, fearful, sad or depressed, which
puts tension on our minds.
When we have a terrible posture and hold awkward positions, our muscles are tense and develop
trigger points, which is tension in our body.
That is why tension-type headaches get worse when we are under pressure, under a lot of
stress in our lives.
The main treatment involves learning techniques to reduce the effects of stress on our bodies.
We can avoid stressful situations in life, but we can control how they affect us.
Tension-type headache is the most common headache affecting about 80% of people at least once
in their lifetime.
I am privileged to be among the 20% of humans who never had a headache in my life.
The main treatments for tension-type headaches include mind-body relaxation therapies such
as Cognitive-behavioural therapy, or CBT, biofeedback, mindfulness, meditation, and
relaxation techniques.
We also recommend movement as a form to relax the mind and body.
Any type of exercise works, what is essential is that you enjoy and adhere to a routine.
Massage, acupuncture, and dry needling are also helpful to relax the muscles.
You can use over-the-counter medication like analgesics, acetaminophen, NSAIDs, and muscle
relaxants if necessary.
Talk to your pharmacist about these options.
Your doctor may prescribe antidepressants for a few months to help you sleep better.
I usually start with amitriptyline or trazodone.
Opioids should not be used due to the risks of dependence, addiction, and medication overuse
headaches, or MOH.
Preventive therapy is not necessary.
These headaches are painful, but they are not harmful.
Most cases improve without treatment, and they do not affect everyday work or function.
Patients may use amitriptyline, an antidepressant for the prevention of tension-type headaches.
I have another video in that I talk about amitriptyline.
There might be complications when the person uses too many medications to treat tension-type
headaches: - Too many over-the-counter medications can
lead to mega doses of caffeine-containing analgesics
- Dependence and addiction to opioids - Stomach or bowel bleeding from taking too
many NSAIDs - Medication overuse headache
I made this video series in collaboration with Migraine Canada.
[If you want to learn more about headaches and migraines, visit their website.
They have a lot of resources, events, and education materials for you to learn more
about migraines.
You may use a Headache diary to track your symptoms, and Migraine Canada has a version
that you can download, and also an App version.
If you like this video, give your thumbs up here, and don’t forget to subscribe to this
channel.
The next video in this series will be about cervicogenic headaches.
Goodbye!