NWR: tension headaches ... Anyone else?

I get horrible tension headaches. I've been getting them for years. 2.5 years ago, I finally bit the bullet and got a membership at Massage Heights and I get the tension knots worked on at least once a month. I've now had four masseuses tell me that they're the biggest tensions knots they've ever worked on. I get them directly under my skull and the pain snakes up and encircles my orbital area.

I wouldn't recommend an ice pack. My masseuse tells me that you need warmth on the knots because you need to loosen them. I use a heated neck wrap and I sprinkle lavender essential oil on.

Thank you! I will try that ASAP!

I second the massages. I get them daily anymore, it seems like. Even if you can't afford professional ones, anything will help. I make DH rub my upper shoulders and neck and it does wonders. Also, yes, use heat and not ice. Heat loosens and relaxes the muscles that are tense. You could also try seeing your doctor and getting some muscle relaxers. Those also seem to help me.

ETA- just noticed got said your doctor told you there's not much else to do. Didn't realize at first that you already saw him. I would ask him about muscle relaxers. Even if it's just a mild one, like Flexeril, it will help.

I never thought about muscle relaxers. Good idea.

During the school year I get at least three tension headaches a week, so I keep heated wraps in my classroom.

Mine almost mimic migraines - when they get bad, noises and light bother me, so I try to find a dark, quiet place.

All the time...the only thing that will touch a tension headache for me is Excedrin. The combination of the caffeine, acetaminophen, & the aspirin is what knocks it out for me.

I suffered from headaches for a long time - last year I started seeing a chiropractor for an ongoing back issue. I was always skeptical about them, but I was willing to try anything. I told him that I also got headaches - once he started treating me and giving me adjustments, I noticed I would get them less frequently. I went from having 2 or 3 headaches a week to about 1 or 2 a month. It may be worth a shot.

I get chronic tension headaches. I used to get migraines as well, but I haven't had one in a couple of years thankfully. I get about three to four tension headaches a week. It's awful, sometimes I can't even look at my computer screen.

The only thing that helps is excedrine extra strength. I have to take it practically the second I feel one coming on, or else it'll hit me full blown and be too late. Exercise has helped reduce the frequency, but they haven't completely gone away.

A few years ago I had one that lasted about 4-5 months straight. I had an MRI and bloodwork and no diagnosis - just a persistent tension headache. Once I eliminated my stressful job from my life, they've been cut down significantly. Muscle relaxers can help. I also have this neck massager from Brookstone when my neck pain is really bad:

http://www.brookstone.com/nap-massage-wrap?bkiid=SearchResults|CategoryProductList|540724p

Excedrin migraine helps me the most. It's on the shelves and the store brands work just fine. My doctor also gave me a prescription that's a combo of barbituates/caffiene/acetaminophen when I never use.

The one lasting effect of my several month headache is I now get migraines (never did before) but they are very are - 1-2/year.

Good luck! I know how tough it is.

I totally understand how you feel! I just got a headached about 2 weeks ago that was unline any headache I've had before. It was just a weird pressure/fullness in the back of my head on the left side and it was so bothersome. I went to the doctor and they said it was a tension headache. They gave me a shot of some sort that was supposed to help--but didn't unfortunately. So I basically just had to wait it out....I can't take medicine with caffeine because I am not allowed to have caffeine due to another medical issue. I have recently been stressed due to financial reasons, and I guess that's what brought on the headache. It finally went away, but the doctor also prescribed me some medication for anxiety that has actually helped. I get really anxious and stressed about stuff and then it causes headaches.

Good luck!