A muscle tension headache is a very common cause of head pain. It’s also called a stress headache. When some people are under stress, they tense the muscles of their shoulder, neck, and scalp without knowing it. If this tension lasts long enough, a headache can occur. A tension headache can be quite painful. It can last for hours or even days.
Home care
Follow these tips when caring for yourself at home:
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Don’t drive yourself home if you were given pain medicine for your headache. Instead have someone else drive you home. Try to sleep when you get home. You should feel much better when you wake up.
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Put heat on the back of your neck to help ease neck spasm.
How to prevent tension-type headaches
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Try to figure out what is causing stress in your life. Learn new ways to handle your stress. Ideas include regular exercise, biofeedback, self-hypnosis, yoga, and meditation. Talk with your health care provider to find out more about managing stress. Many books and digital media are also available on this subject.
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Take time out at the first sign of a tension headache, if possible. Take yourself out of the stressful situation. Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit or lie down and let yourself relax. Heat and deep massage of the tight areas in the neck and shoulders may help ease muscle spasm. You may also get relief from a medicine such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or a prescribed muscle relaxant. But using these medicines too often may make headaches worse.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your health care provider, or as advised. Talk with your provider if you have frequent headaches. They can figure out a treatment plan. Ask if you can have medicine to take at home the next time you get a bad headache. This may keep you from having to visit the emergency department in the future. You may need to see a headache specialist (neurologist) if you continue to have headaches.
When to get medical advice
Call your health care provider right away if:
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Your head pain gets worse during sexual intercourse or strenuous activity.
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Your head pain doesn’t get better in 24 hours.
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You aren’t able to keep liquids down (repeated vomiting).
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You have a fever of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher, or as advised by your provider.
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You have a stiff neck.
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You are extremely drowsy, confused, or faint.
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You are dizzy, or are dizzy and have a spinning feeling (vertigo).
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You are weak in an arm or leg or one side of your face.
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You have trouble speaking.
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Your vision changes.
Online Medical Reviewer: Anne Fetterman RN BSN
Online Medical Reviewer: Joseph Campellone MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN
Date Last Reviewed: 02/01/2025
© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
