Tension headache treatment in Leytonstone, East London
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache, and they have a way of quietly taking over a day. Rather than the throbbing, one-sided pain of a migraine, tension headaches tend to feel like a dull, tight band of pressure around the head, often building gradually and settling in for hours. For many people they are closely tied to tight, overworked muscles in the neck, shoulders and jaw, which makes them well suited to osteopathic treatment.
Osteopathy looks beyond the head itself to the muscles and joints that so often drive this kind of headache, aiming to ease both the immediate pain and what is causing it to keep coming back.
What does a tension headache feel like?
Tension headaches vary in intensity, but common signs include:
- A dull, aching pressure or tightness, often described as a band around the head
- Pain affecting both sides of the head, rather than one
- Tenderness in the scalp, neck or shoulders
- A feeling of pressure behind the eyes
- Headaches that build gradually and can last from thirty minutes to several days
- Pain that does not typically worsen with routine physical activity, unlike a migraine
What causes tension headaches?
Tension headaches are usually linked to muscular tension in the neck, shoulders and jaw, along with the joints of the upper neck, which can refer pain up into the head. Common contributing factors include:
- Prolonged poor posture, particularly with the head held forward over a screen
- Stress and the muscle tension that often comes with it
- Jaw clenching or teeth grinding, especially overnight
- Eye strain from long periods of screen use
- Poor sleep, dehydration, or skipped meals
- Tightness in the upper back and shoulders from a physically demanding or sedentary day
It is seen frequently in office workers, students, call centre and computer-based staff, and anyone under sustained pressure or spending long hours at a desk or on a phone.
How osteopathy can help
Treatment begins with a thorough assessment of the neck, shoulders and jaw, since tension headaches so often have their roots in this area rather than the head itself. Depending on what is found, treatment may include hands-on techniques to ease tight, overworked muscles in the neck, shoulders and jaw, gentle mobilisation of the joints in the upper neck to reduce their contribution to the pain, and guidance on posture and screen habits to address some of the most common everyday triggers. Simple exercises and stretches may also be given to help manage tension between appointments and reduce how often headaches occur.
Many people notice a real difference once the underlying muscular and postural contributors are addressed, both in how often headaches occur and how severe they are when they do.
When to seek help sooner
Tension headaches are common and usually straightforward to manage, but it is worth being aware of the signs of something different. Seek urgent medical attention for a headache that comes on suddenly and severely, is accompanied by a fever, stiff neck, confusion, vision changes or weakness, or follows a head injury, as these warrant prompt medical assessment.
Frequently asked questions
How are tension headaches different from migraines?
Tension headaches typically cause a dull, pressing pain on both sides of the head, without the nausea, light sensitivity or one-sided throbbing often associated with migraines. That said, the two can sometimes overlap, and an assessment can help clarify what is actually happening.
Can posture really cause headaches?
Yes, very often. The muscles and joints of the neck are closely connected to the head, and sustained poor posture, particularly forward head posture from screen use, is one of the most common contributors to this type of headache.
Will I need to change my desk setup?
Sometimes small, practical changes make a genuine difference, and this is often discussed as part of treatment. Any suggestions are always practical and specific to you, rather than a generic list.
Getting started
Book with Luke
Quick online booking, evening appointments available
Detailed further reading
More detailed reading on various pain presentations and how osteopathy can help.
