Neck & Head
Tension-Type Headache
Also called: Stress headache
The most common headache type: a band-like, pressing pain on both sides of the head, driven by muscle tension, stress physiology, posture, and often the neck and jaw. Episodic ones are a nuisance; chronic ones (15+ days per month) deserve a real plan, not just daily pain relievers — which can themselves cause rebound headaches.
Common signs
- Dull, pressing, band-around-the-head pain on both sides
- Mild to moderate intensity — annoying, not disabling
- Tight, tender scalp, neck, and shoulder muscles
- No nausea or vomiting; light/sound sensitivity minimal
Seek help now if
- Sudden severe onset
- Headache with fever, stiff neck, or neurological changes
- Progressively worsening pattern over weeks
- New headache in someone over 50 or with cancer history
Any of these: call 911 or get to an emergency room first. Everything else can wait.
What to do first
- Log frequency, duration, and triggers for two weeks — the pattern guides care
- Address the big four: sleep, hydration, screen posture, stress load
- Limit over-the-counter analgesics to fewer than 2–3 days per week to avoid rebound headache
If it's become chronic
- Chronic tension headache almost always has a neck and postural component worth examining
- Build a daily practice: breathwork, mobility, strength, consistent sleep-wake times
- If overlapping migraine features exist, refine the diagnosis — treatment differs
Natural healing options we use
- Chiropractic care for cervical and upper thoracic restriction
- Manual therapy for suboccipital, temporalis, and trapezius trigger points
- Breathwork and downregulation training
- Magnesium and hydration protocols
- Regular aerobic exercise — one of the best-evidenced headache treatments
About imaging
Not needed for typical presentations. Reserved for red flags or changing patterns.
Daily self-care
- 160 oz water across the day in spaced servings
- Scheduled screen breaks with shoulder rolls and chin tucks
- A wind-down routine protecting 7–9 hours of sleep
How we can help
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Please read: this page is education, not a diagnosis. A proper examination is how a condition gets confirmed and a plan gets built. See our medical disclaimer.