Therapy of tension headaches
Many different treatment options are available for the treatment of tension headaches. It is important to identify and avoid the triggers of the headache. This therapy of the causes is preferred to drug therapy.
This includes regular muscle training as part of physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles. In addition, sporting activity (light endurance training) and various relaxation exercises can also help to improve the symptoms. Training to avoid incorrect posture (e.g. at work) can also alleviate tension headaches.
It makes sense to keep a headache diary to accompany the training. This causal treatment can be specifically supported by medication. The taking of painkillers should be discussed with the treating physician.
The choice of medication for the treatment of tension headaches depends on the type of headache. Episodic headaches (less than 14 days a month over a period of 3 months) can be treated with the widely used painkillers. These include aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol.
It should be noted, however, that long-term use of these drugs also causes headaches (medication headaches) and can make them even worse. For this reason, regular therapy should always be discussed with a doctor. Chronic headaches are often treated with tricyclic antidepressants.
The drug of choice here is amitryptilin. The active ingredient influences the sensation of pain by raising the lowered pain threshold. Due to a wide range of side effects, however, this therapy must be regularly monitored by a doctor.
Depending on the patient and accompanying symptoms, individual additional treatment may be necessary. Tension headaches can often already be relieved by various home remedies. In order to avoid headaches, a sufficient amount of drinking (1.5 to 2 liters per day) is recommended.In addition, applying and massaging peppermint oil over large areas of the temples and neck typically leads to an improvement in symptoms.
In addition, vanilla extracts are said to have a headache relieving effect. By cooling the temples or the neck, the pain signals that lead to the headaches can be masked. At the same time, heat cushions can relieve muscle tension by increasing blood circulation.
Alternatively, a warm full bath as well as regular sauna sessions are also suitable for this purpose. Frequently, acupuncture can also quickly lead to an improvement of the headache symptoms. By stimulating various pathways in the human body, the pain stimulus can be suppressed.
However, the effectiveness varies from patient to patient. There are also numerous homeopathic remedies available for the treatment of headaches. The effectiveness of these remedies varies greatly from patient to patient and is controversial.
If the pain is permanent, a therapy should be discussed with the treating physician. In the case of severe knocking and hammering headaches, products with belladonna extracts are recommended. For the treatment of neck headaches that increasingly spread to the forehead, homeopathic products made of yellow jasmine (Gelsemium) are suitable.
A strong feeling of pressure in the head can be treated with iris extracts (Iris versicolor). Products containing bloodroot (Sanguinaria) are suitable for the treatment of headaches that increase in strength during the course of the day. Products containing wormwood extracts (Spigelia) are recommended for severe hemiplegic headaches.
A massage is suitable for relieving tense muscles in the neck and shoulders. This involves moving and relaxing the individual muscles. In addition, the patient can also reduce the discomfort by a light circular massage movement of the temples or neck.
An accompanying relaxation therapy and stress management training are recommended. Often the progressive muscle relaxation according to Jacobsen is used. It is used in which the various muscle groups in the body are deliberately tensed and relaxed one after the other, thus achieving a state of deep relaxation.
Regular sporting activity counteracts the development of tension headaches. Especially light endurance training (jogging, swimming, cycling) can prophylactically prevent the development of pain. At the same time, physical exercise counteracts tensions. In addition, targeted training of the muscles in the head and neck area (e.g. as part of physiotherapy) can strengthen the muscles to compensate for possible incorrect posture.
