A pain in the head with the pain being above the eyes or the ears, behind the head (occipital), or in the back of the upper neck.

Headache, like chest pain or back ache, has many causes.

All headaches are considered primary headaches or secondary headaches. Primary headaches are not associated with other diseases.

Examples of primary headaches are migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by

other diseases. The associated disease may be minor or major.

Signs and Symptoms

Tension Headache

Tension headache usually produces a dull, steady ache on both sides of the head. The pain usually increases over a period of hours.

A small number of tension-headache patients report that, when at its worst, the pain develops a pulsating quality.

Tension headache pain has been described as pressure or tightness around the head, as though a band were pulled tightly around it

or as if it were clamped in a vise.


Headache Treatment


The proper treatment will depend on several factors, including the type and frequency of the headache and its cause. Treatment may

include education, stress management, biofeedback, and medication and physical therapy education.

Non-drug Treatment Alternatives

Drugs are not the only means of effectively treating head pain. For many people with intermittent migraine and tension-type

headaches, the consistent practice of behavioral methods can actually reduce the intensity and frequency of attacks. For others,

behavioral treatment may primarily be of value in creating a sense of well-being, coping with the stress created by the headache,

or helping the headache sufferer continue to function. For frequent and severe headaches, behavioral methods are usually combined

with drug therapy and may lead to better headache control than would be the case with either type of treatment alone.

Relaxation techniques

Learning relaxation techniques can help you reduce headaches. If you have a headache, you should:

Lie down and relax
Stretch and relax the muscles
Take breaks from activities that trigger or provoke headaches, such as using the computer for long periods of time or exercising

strenuously