I Suffer From Tension Type Headache

Tension Headache Treatment

Tension-Type Headaches are the most common type of primary headache, according to the International Headache society, and research suggests it can affect 60-86% of the population [1, 2]. WHO reports suggest that tension-type headaches affect a large portion of the population episodically, however 20-30% of sufferers experience more chronic episodes [1].

Characterised by a sensation of tightening, squeezing or pressing around the head, tension headache pain affects both sides of the head at the same time. This sensation has led to the misconception that tension-type headache is caused by muscle tension or muscle contractions around the head and face. Tension headaches are often mild-moderate in severity, and can vary in the length of attacks, as well as their frequency.

At Gold Coast Headache and Migraine Clinic™, we expect to observe significant improvement within the first 3 weeks of treatment consultations. We have seen a large number of patients with tension headaches improve significantly following our treatment, which is invasive-free, medication-free and surgery-free. Book a consultation today.

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Understanding your Headache

Tension Headache Symptoms:

Tension Headache patients normally describe their head pain as if they were wearing a tight helmet or exercise headband which can become tighter and tighter around their head. Tension headaches are not considered to be accompanied by an overly severe headache pain. The pain can last anywhere between 30 minutes and up to 7 days and the intensity can range from mild to moderate. Vomiting and nausea are not features of tension-type headache however patients can have a sensitivity to sound or light.

How Are Tension Headaches Different From Migraines?

People who suffer from tension-type headaches are often wrongly diagnosed as suffering from migraines. The key difference between the two is that tension-type headaches are described as a bilateral, tightening or pressing sensation around the head, whereas migraine sufferers describe their attacks as a unilateral, pulsating pain in the head or face. Tension-type headaches are often mild-moderate in terms of intensity, and migraines are often more severe.

Also, tension-type headaches will generally not get worse with normal activities and exercise, whereas these will aggravate a migraine.

What causes Tension-Type Headaches?

With more modern research, we now know that tension-type headaches are not actually caused by a tightening of muscles around the head. In fact, EMG studies have shown that there is no increase in muscle activity in the head or face in these people at all. More recent studies are starting to identify that people who experience tension-type headaches have some increased sensitisation of pain pathways in the central nervous system and brain stem [2].

Modern headache research suggests that tension-type headaches arise from problems in the upper cervical spine (C1-3). These patients have been shown to have an ‘up-regulated’ Trigemino-cervical Nucleus (TCN) as part of a sensitised brain stem [3]. This sensitised brainstem then interprets information coming from nerves in the neck incorrectly, sending symptoms around the head. This pain, referred from a sensitised brainstem, is what sufferers of tension-type headache patients are experiencing.

Organise Your Initial Assessment

What are the Different Types of Tension-Type Headache?

1. Episodic Tension-Type Headache

Episodic Tension-Type Headaches are defined by the frequency of attacks a person experiences, per month. Typically, a person who has attacks on fewer than 15 days per month, is experiencing episodic tension-type headaches [3]. These headaches tend to peak in the fourth decade of life (30-39 years) in both males and females, with a prevalence of 42% for men and 46% for women of this age. Women, on average, are most likely to experience these types of headache [3].

2. Chronic Tension Headache

Chronic Tension-Type Headache is when attacks are experienced more frequently. If a person experiences attacks on more than 15 days per month, for longer than a three-month period then their condition is classified as chronic tension headaches[1, 3]. As these headaches are more persistent, they can be very debilitating. Sometimes these people can have these headaches for between 10-30 years, and they can become resistant to painkillers.

Difference between Tension Type Headaches and Migraines

Traditional Tension Headache Treatment

Many people suffering from tension headaches explore different methods to relieve pain and reduce the occurrence of frequent headaches. While some treatments relieve tension temporarily, others may contribute to long-term issues such as medication overuse headaches from using medication for pain relief.

Common Treatment Approaches:

Pain Relievers & Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as naproxen sodium, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen are often used to manage headache pain. However, many headache sufferers who have relied too heavily on pain relievers have developed medication overuse headaches or rebound headaches.
Stress Management & Lifestyle Changes: Since stress is a major trigger for chronic tension headaches, incorporating stress management techniques, breathing exercises, and a healthy lifestyle can help prevent tension headaches. Regular exercise, improved sleep hygiene, and learning to manage stress effectively are essential for long-term relief. Keeping a headache diary to help identify personal headache triggers is also a great way to reduce the frequency of headaches.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Cognitive behavioural therapy has been shown to help individuals with chronic tension-type headaches by helping reduce stress and negative thought patterns that may contribute to muscle tension and head pain.
Heat & Cold Therapy: Applying a heat pack to tight muscles in the neck and shoulders can help increase blood flow and promote relaxation. Alternatively, cold compresses may reduce inflammation and numb headache pain.

If you have tried numerous methods, from stress management training to relaxation exercises, and the chronic pain returns, there is another way to help treat or prevent tension headaches.

Organise Your Initial Assessment

About The Assessment Stage

What To Expect During The Assessment

1. Comprehensive and in-depth examination

We will perform a thorough and in-depth examination to identify all of the factors that may be related to your headaches and migraines. We will focus particularly on your upper cervical spine in our assessment.

2. Ligamental stability and vertebral arterial tests

In order to ensure the highest level of safety is maintained, we routinely will assess the stability of the important ligaments in your upper cervical spine, prior to any assessment or treatment.

3. Temporarily reproduce your headache and migraine symptoms

During our assessment and treatment process, we will be applying gentle and specific pressure to your upper cervical spine in order to temporarily reproduce your headache symptoms. This helps us to identify the specific cause of your headaches.

Tension Headaches – Quick Facts & FAQs

Overview

Tension type headache is different to migraine, and sufferers are often incorrectly diagnosed. Most people may not understand the difference between the two, and often use both terms to label their headaches incorrectly.

• Tension type headache will have mild to moderate pain, whereas migraine pain is usually more significant and can reach up to severe disabling pain.

• Tension type headache pain is usually felt bilaterally on both sides of the head, whereas migraine pain is unilaterally and felt on one side of the head

• Tension type headache does not get worse with normal every day-to-day activities and movements. However unlike acute or chronic migraines, simple movements, activities, work or even sport can often exacerbate and worsen a migraine.

Tension Type Headache

Common symptoms of tension headache include:

• Pain is bilateral and all over

• Pain is mild to moderate

• Pain is felt like a squeezing, tightening, pressure pain

• No nausea or vomiting

• Movement and activities does not worsen the headache

• No visual disturbances

• Occurs without warning

Migraine

Common symptoms of migraine include:

• Pain is unilaterally and on one side

• Pain is moderate to severe

• Pain is felt like a severe headache with throbbing and pulsating pain

• Nausea and vomiting is often present

• Movement and activities can worsen the migraine

• Visual disturbances

• Can occur with warning signs or aura

What is a tension headache?

A tension headache is a common headache disorder typically described as a mild to moderate, pressure-like or tightening sensation affecting both sides of the head. It is often felt as a band-like pressure around the forehead or a dull, steady ache across the temples or occipital region.

Tension-type headache is understood to involve increased sensitivity within pain processing pathways, which may influence how sensory input from the head and neck region is interpreted by the nervous system.

What causes a tension headache?

Tension headaches are thought to be influenced by a range of interacting factors, and presentation can vary between individuals. Common contributing factors may include psychological stress, sustained postural load, jaw muscle tension, sleep disruption, and changes in how the nervous system processes sensory input.

In some presentations, ongoing input from the upper neck region may play a role in increased sensitivity within the trigeminocervical system, which may contribute to the development or persistence of symptoms. Clinicians consider these factors within a broader headache assessment to better understand each individual’s presentation.

What does a tension headache feel like?

A tension headache is typically described as a constant, dull pressure or tightening sensation rather than a throbbing or pulsating pain. Many individuals report a “tight band” or constrictive feeling around the head, often affecting both sides equally.

It may also be associated with muscle tightness or tenderness in the neck and shoulder region, particularly during periods of stress, prolonged concentration, or sustained postural demands.

How long can a tension headache last?

A tension headache can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several days, depending on the type and frequency of the headache. Episodic tension-type headaches may resolve within the same day, while some attacks can last longer.

Chronic tension-type headaches are different. These may occur on 15 or more days per month for longer than three months, with symptoms lasting for hours, days, or becoming persistent.

If tension-type headaches are frequent, recurring, or difficult to manage, professional assessment can help identify contributing factors such as neck tension, stress load, posture, sleep disruption, or increased sensitivity within the nervous system.

How to relieve tension headache?

Management strategies for tension headaches often focus on reducing muscular load and supporting regulation within the nervous system. This may include rest in a low-stimulation environment, gentle movement, hydration, and approaches aimed at reducing neck and shoulder muscle tension.

Where symptoms are recurrent or persistent, clinicians may also assess whether increased sensitivity within upper cervical pathways is contributing to the headache pattern.

At Gold Coast Headache and Migraine Clinic™, clinicians provide a medication-free, surgery-free approach to headache management, focusing on identifying and addressing potential underlying contributors rather than relying solely on acute or preventive medications for symptom control.

How Do I Know If I Have a Hypertension Headache?

(Attacks fulfilling criteria A-F)

Frequency	Triggered by high blood pressure, typically during a sudden increase in systolic (≥180 mm Hg) and/or diastolic (≥120 mm Hg) levels. The headache subsides once blood pressure returns to normal
Location	Bilateral often in the temporal region
Quality of pain	Pulsating or throbbing pain
Aggravation	Worsens with physical activity
Symptoms	Additional symptoms may or may not be present and can include: – Nausea or vomiting – Dizziness or light-headedness – Blurred vision – Tinnitus – Palpitations – Shortness of breath – Anxiety or restlessness – Confusion
Other characteristics	Either or both of the following: – The headache has notably intensified alongside the elevation in blood pressure – The headache has markedly lessened as the blood pressure has improved

Tension-Type Headache vs Migraine

(Comparison of key features)

Feature	Tension-Type Headache (TTH)	Migraine
Pain Quality	Dull, pressing, or tightening (non-pulsating)	Throbbing or pulsating
Intensity	Mild to moderate	Moderate to severe
Location	Bilateral (both sides)	Usually unilateral (can be bilateral)
Duration	30 minutes to 7 days	4 to 72 hours
Aggravation by Activity	Not worsened by routine activity	Worsens with routine activity (e.g. walking)
Associated Nausea	Absent	Common (often with vomiting)
Photophobia/Phonophobia	May have one, but not both	Usually both are present
Aura	Absent	Present in ~25% (visual or sensory aura)
Response to Sleep	May improve with rest	Often improves with sleep
Frequency	Variable (episodic or chronic)	Variable (episodic or chronic)
Onset Speed	Gradual onset	Sudden or gradual onset

Tension Headache Treatment on the Gold Coast

It isn’t uncommon for tension-type headache sufferers to have tried to treat tension headaches through therapies, pain relief and preventive medications available, often with very limited success. In fact, being overly reliant on pain medicine can make things worse by bringing about a medication overuse headache.

A big reason why tension headache sufferers do not see effective results from treatments is that most practitioners don’t attempt to identify the cause of the headaches.

At Gold Coast Headache & Migraine Clinic™, we use the experience that we have gathered from seeing countless patients who suffer from a tension-type headache, and we utilise the most current and up-to-date research to assess, treat and correctly diagnose your headaches. By assessing the joints in your upper cervical spine and using techniques to determine the level of sensitivity in your brainstem, we can determine if this is the cause of your tension-type headache.

If this is the case, then we can start treatment right then and there. Our treatment technique doesn’t involve any medication or surgery and is completely non-invasive. We expect that 90% of the time, improvement will occur in the first 5 sessions, and our clinic’s results speak for themselves.

What our clients have said

Excellent

4.9

Andrea Duffy

After being diagnosed with Sunct Trigeminal Neuralgia I was seeking treatment without drugs. After 2 months of treatments with Kevin I'm now pain free. Well worth the effort for a fantastic result, thanks team.

Sarah Jane

Seeing Doug & the team at BHMC has really changed my life, and I’m really grateful for the ongoing care and support. I used to think I had bad vertigo & I would feel dizzy and faint and light headed and nauseous all day everyday and couldn’t work, couldn’t do housework, couldn’t walk my dog, could barely stay standing to shower all because I had been walking around with an unaligned c2 &c3 in my neck due to years of bad posture and constantly hunching over at my desk at work or my head down looking at my phone all day. Migraines 2-3 times a week, constantly feeling pressure in my head and sharp pain, unable to sleep a full nights sleep, and not reacting well at all to prescription medications like valium, replax, and others. I finally got health insurance and headed into BHMC and in the 1st consultation, I was advised of a detailed diagnosis and knew I was in the right place to get help. I’d been struggling everyday for over a year with migraines, had to quit jobs, and was mentally struggling due to these physical symptoms, it was awful. I really wish i’d gone to get physio sooner! Please go and see BHMC, I have been in physio for less than 6 months (probably 10-15 appointments) and have never felt better and more stable. If you go here, try the sessions, buy the pillow, sit up straight, do the exercises, I promise you’ll be better off! Doug has been amazing & so professional, he really knows what hes doing. All the office team is lovely as well!

Samuel Cox

I have been seeing Dr. Woo for about 6 months now and he has been helping me manage my migraines fantastically. I used to get on average 2 migraines a month, now I have gone 4 months with no migraines. The cause of my migraines was very quickly diagnosed and its clear the team here prioritise the goal of self management, not the reliance on medication and continuous appointments. Can recommend to anyone who suffers from Chronic Migraines, it may well be a life changer for you.

Han Wang

My headache problem has been lasting for many years and I suffer from it more frequently from the last 18 months. The quality of my life before treatment was affected tremendously. I simply couldn't enjoy lots of activities when headache attacks occur. I started my headache treatment from the last few weeks and it has been very effective. It is very obvious to how I feel around my neck before and after the treatment. I haven't had any headache episode since. I highly recommend this clinic and the physician named Douglas. He is courteous, gentle, very caring and most amazingly very knowledgeable and skillful. He was able to diagnose my headache issue and provide detailed explainations about my treatment plan and future preventative guidance. I wish I had found this clinic earlier and for anyone who is suffering from headaches you should definitely give it a go. Overall it's a nice and clean clinic, easy public transport and parking. Helpful and friendly admin staff too. Thank you Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic Sunnybank Hills.

Celeste Cover

My healthy 7yr old son out of blue started having debilitating migraines about a year ago. Being a nurse I ensured we ruled out anything nasty by doing MRI and seeing specialist. But we kept getting no definitive answer as to why they were reoccuring. Being so young treatment options are limited until 12yrs of age and every episode we would end up at the emergency department with then specialist follow up appointments. Something had to change. I then came across a fellow work colleague (GP) whom referred me to Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic. My son has been seeing David now at the spring hill clinic for over 2mnths, where he has worked absolute wonders. My son has had no episodes of a migraine to date yet. David also ensure he educates his clients during the appointment, follows up with exercises and resources for you to use at home as well, easy management plans and a diary to track and see patterns as to why a migraine maybe triggered. I would highly recommend these clinics to anyone suffering. The amount of knowledge and expertise by the staff is amazing. I will always be praising them for the help with my son.

Sahan Amarasena

I have been seeing Sascha for about 3 weeks now. Thanks to Sascha, I have gone from 4-5 headaches a week to being headache free for over a week now. He is very knowledgeable and was quick to diagnose my problem. The treatment plan has been very clear and easy to follow at home. We have addressed all factors that are contributing to my headaches and I am confident of keeping my headaches under control thanks to the tools Sascha has taught me. Highly impressed with the team. They have been very professional, friendly and helpful throughout and been impressed with their customer service. Highly recommend these guys if you are someone who has been suffering with headache for a long time like myself.

Ana Uppman

Mattias and the staff at the clinic are wonderfully helpful and friendly. Mattias in particular helped me to manage chronic headaches and sinus effectively and naturally which has provided a huge amount of pain relief to me especially after so many years of discomfort. Thank you so much Mattias and staff.

Jesse Tamblyn

Diagnosed with Vestibular Neuritis, quickly turned into vestibular migraines of a hellish level. I was hallucinating constantly, pretty much 24/7 for a entire year. With no regular symptoms of a migraine other than extreme light sensitivity, my doctor ordered all the tests, nothing was helping. After a few sessions with Sasch I have zero symptoms and none of my previous triggers are triggering any hallucinations/migraines. Sasch is increadibly skilled at what he does and is very passionate about his clients. I am forever in a debt of gratitude.

kynan jones

I have had cluster headaches on and off for two years now and have had no clue what to do about it, I stumbled across Brisbane migraine and headache clinic, decided to give it a go and I could not be happier with the results from Mattias. My symptoms have dropped by an easy 90% and I can enjoy my days again. Thank you Mattias and thank you Brisbane migraine and headache clinic.

Carter Bennett

So far my treatment at the Headache and Migraine clinic has been very helpful. As someone who experiences migraines often enough, I can say with confidence that after only a few months of treatment with practictioner Mattias, the frequency and severity has been reduced. Still a ways to go till Im migraine free, but I can say with confidence that this very interesting form of treatment works.

ARCHANACHOWDARY NALLAPANENI

David is really wonderful and he is a magician. I've been suffering from migraine headaches for past three years after I met David, and his treatment is like a miracle. I've been on treatment for five weeks now and haven't had any headaches. Thank you heaps David

Rachel de Vera

Best place to overcome your headache pain. This clinic will give you treatment to make your life free from migraine.

Luke Shanley

Ariel from Brisbane Migraine & Headache clinic was the only person that actually helped with my migraines. After seeing doctors & neurologists to no avail i decided to give it a go. I'm able to see friends, nieces & nephews again and working full time. This seemed impossible just over 2 months ago when I first started treatment. Gave me my life back.

Danielle Raftopoulos

I've seen Ariel for neck, back and knee pain/ injuries in the past. She does an excellent job with releasing muscles through dry needling and acupuncture which has relieves pain. Ariel provides exercises to do at home which are helpful. I've also seen all the other physios at the clinic. Highly recommend it.

Pawan Sandhu

I was suffering with bad migraine from last 13 years. Then I heard about Brisbane headache centre. I consulted with Dominic he is very professional and nice Physio. He find out the triggers and started my treatment since i seen him first till now I haven't had any headaches. I highly recommend people if you suffering with headache and migraine please go and consult with the team. Thanks Dominic.

Brooke O'kell

I have had an amazing experience with Ariel at the clinic. I went there in horrific pain after been diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia and I was taking 12 nerve pain tablets a day. The clinic was recommended to me by a friend and I'm so glad I gave them a try because now after a couple of months I am pain free and down to one nerve tablet a day. It's hard to explain really how grateful I really am now to be spending Christmas with my family pain free after not been able to leave the house without crying in pain. I'm would give them 100 stars if I could and I've already recommended Ariel to some friends who suffer migraines. Thank you for everything Ariel your an amazing and lovely lady who really changed my life.

Cathy Biles

I have suffered from migraines for 30 years and I have found that the treatment that I am having at Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic is the most effective way I’ve found in preventing a migraine. I have been having treatment with Mattias for around 4 months, and at this stage I still do get some migraines, but they are getting a lot less frequent than they were before I started having treatment. Mattias is very understanding and explains each step of the treatment very thoroughly.

Candy Beanland

Dominic is a very polite person who has helped me a great deal with my migraine headaches. I am very grateful to him.

Emma Zonca

I've had a great experience being treated by Dominic. I was recently diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia and my symptoms have now massively reduced. The care and education I have received have been excellent. All staff have been welcoming and very lovely to deal with since my first appointment. I highly recommend Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic.

Ebony Smith

I've been receiving treatment from Mattias for a little over two months now and I cannot recommend this practice enough!!! I have been struggling with Migraine headaches and terrifying aura symptoms for 10+ years and have tried absolutely everything (from medications, diets, all sorts of treatments and multiple specialist/neurologist appointments) in order to eliminate, ease or simply manage the pain. Thank you to Mattias and the wonderful team at Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic for listening to my struggles with pain, understanding my issues, applying the right treatment that my body was receptive to...and most importantly.... they gave me a free jar of mints! What a DEAL! 10/10 recommend.

Cassandra Guse

2 months ago debilitating migraines were driving me crazy - and I finally snapped and called this clinic after 3 years of spending most of my spare time just resting and re-habbing my head and neck between work. I started treatments with Dominic immediately. And I am amazed to report that I haven't had a migraine since! I wish I had done it years earlier. Dominic is pleasant, thorough, very knowledgeable and holistic in his advice, picking up on things which seem unrelated but were likely contributing to my headaches - and explains everything every step of the way. I can't recommend him highly enough.

Laura O'hearn

I have only been seeing Dominic from Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic for three weeks, but the change in my migraines has been dramatic. I have struggled with chronic migraines for over 20 years and I did not find daily medication helpful in controlling them. I wish I had known about Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic sooner as this has been a life-changing experience.

Paul Hewitt

There could not be too much praise for the services and results produced at this Centre . I was suffering clusters of migraines and other neck pain. Went to Doctor, more medication! Decided there has to be a better way. Googled the Headache and Migraine Centre, met with Mattias, and Helen , a few visits and the relief was significant . Small business could take a lesson from their efficiency as well, Admin staff are all over everything, helping you to make appointment times that suit you. If you had or having similar issues to mine..........Just go there .

Chimorne Bekker

Special thanks to Dominic for treating me at the Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic. I have had roughly 11 sessions at the clinic and have been headache & migraine free for two weeks today. This may not seem very long, but it is for someone who experiences an attack every second day. My treatment is still ongoing, but the results are already promising. I also have to mention that Dominic was the first specialist to notice that my C2-C3 cervical vertebrae were rotated/disturbed and recommended that we realign the vertebrae and desensitise my brain stem. This was a relief as specialists in the past have diagnosed me with anything from ethmoid sinusitis and occipital neuralgia to labelling it as “psychosomatic“. I would highly recommend anyone suffering from migraines/headaches to arrange a consultation with Dominic.

Megan Tilley

After about 5 weeks of constant headaches, in complete desperation I contacted BHMC and within 4 sessions with Mathias, my headaches significantly reduced in severity and duration. Highly recommended!

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