Tension Headache Facts

The pain is usually dull on the top of the head, extending from the forehead like a tight band and can go down the back of the head, behind the ear, into the jaw and across the face. The muscles at the base of the skull are often very tender on pressure. The pain can extend further, to the neck, shoulders and upper back.

When does the pain start?

It can come at any time of the day but rarely starts in the night. It usually affects both sides and can produce a feeling of a weight on the top of the head or a tight band around the head accompanied by a 'spicy' feeling. Sufferers can go to bed with a headache and wake up with the same headache. This is more common in people who are anxious and depressed. Their subconscious works away all night trying to help resolve their emotional conflicts and the result is that they awake as tense as when they retired to bed. It is more usual, however, for the pain to start in the morning and gradually worsen as the day progresses, with sleep bringing some measure of relief.

How long does the headache last?

It can last hours, days or even weeks if nothing is done about it. It is easy to understand why these headaches can be protracted. When the muscles are habitually over stimulated they become so contracted that merely switching off by reading, watching television or sleeping is not enough to allow them to rest in their lengthened state. The muscles need practical help in the form of stretching, massage, acupressure or other hands-on treatment, or the person might resort to painkillers, muscle relaxants or alcohol. The drawbacks of using drugs and alcohol are discussed later.

Who suffers from this type of headache ?

Both sexes (in about equal proportions) and all ages. They usually start in early adult life although 10-20 per cent of sufferers have their first attacks in childhood (Saper and Magee, 1978).

Children and tension

One might imagine that children would escape tension in the head, neck and shoulders, because they were supple and active and don't have the responsibilities of adult life. This is definitely not so; life is different but just as difficult for them. The neuroses of later life are incubated during the early years. Children often find .it difficult to express emotional pain and this can be missed by the adults around them. It is impossible to have all our needs met even if we are born into .loving, stable families - the world is a fearful place. We react to this fear by tightening our muscles or 'unmooring'. This practical mechanism allows us to hold in our fear, frustration, anger, grief, Sadness or any other hurtful emotion. Thus the foundation stone of neurosis is! laid. For more about this see Ticket (1989).

In children, physical triggers causing muscle tension include the persistent cough which keeps the shoulders raised, badly placed desks and pushing the head forward to peer at the blackboard. Sleeping on the stomach can put a strain on the neck, as can being carried on the mother's hip and having to turn the head in one direction to see the world. Sadly, also, children often spend long hours in front of badly positioned TV sets or lying on the floor lifting the head up to play computer games.

Appearance of a persons with a tension headache

They are usually very pale, because of the constriction of the blood vessels, the face lacks expression and the eyes look dull. The sufferer often looks detached, as though they are not quite with you. If there are sinus problems in addition to the tension headache there can be dull red patches over the cheek-bones and fluid retention around the eyes. Sometimes the face can look puffy. This is probably because of congestion due to the tight muscles impeding the lymph drainage from the head. Furrowing of the brow can also be a feature

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Facts about Tension Headache