Symptoms

• Dull, aching head pain
• Sensation of tightness or pressure across the forehead or on the sides and back of the head
• Tenderness in the scalp, neck and shoulder muscles

When to see a doctor

• If tension-type headaches disrupt your life or you need to take medication for your headaches more than twice a week, see your doctor.
• Even if you have a history of headaches, see your doctor if the pattern changes or your headaches suddenly feel different.
• Occasionally, headaches may indicate a serious medical condition, such as a brain tumor or rupture of a weakened blood vessel.

When to seek emergency help

• Abrupt, severe headache
• Headache with a fever, stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness or speaking difficulties
• Headache after a head injury, especially if the headache gets worse

Causes

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Fear, phobia
• Stress
• Excess anger
• Late night sleep
• Skipping meals
• Exhaustion
• Dehydration
• Excess straining of sense organs – hearing loud voice, seeing minute or shining object for long time.
• Excess computer work which strain neck muscles
• Exposure to cold wind, snow and hot sun
• Talking excessively with high tone
• Smoking and intake of alcohol

Triggers

Stress is the most commonly reported trigger for tension-type headaches.

Complications

• Effects on job productivity and overall quality of life.
• The frequent pain may render you unable to attend activities.
• You might need to stay home from work.
• If you do go to your job, your ability to function may be impaired.

Prevention

• Take meals at right time
• Warm fluids and food items should be consumed
• Avoid refrigerated food items
• Have warm water shower
• Do not read or see bright screen for dim light
• Head oil massage should be done at least twice in week
• Avoid long time exposure to cold wind, mist and sun
• Do mobility exercise to relieve stress over neck and shoulder muscles.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking
• Pranayama, deep breathing, yoga and meditation.
• Do regular exercises

Lifestyle and home remedies

• Rest, ice packs or a long, hot shower may be all you need to relieve a tension headache.
• Manage your stress level. One way to help reduce stress is by planning ahead and organizing your day.
• Another way is to allow more time to relax.
• And if you’re caught in a stressful situation, consider stepping back.
• Go hot or cold. Applying heat or ice — whichever you prefer — to sore muscles may ease a tension-type headache.
• Perfect your posture. Good posture can help keep your muscles from tensing.
• When sitting, make sure your thighs are parallel to the ground and your head isn’t slumped forward.

Ayurveda Treatment principles

• Shira Shula chikitsa
• Vatanulomana oushadhas
• Vata Shamana oushadhas
• Manasika balya oushadhas
• Nadi balya oushadhas
• Mastishka vishesha oushadhas
• Ojaskara oushadhas
• Nidrajanana oushadhas

Treatment procedures

• Unmardana
• Veshtana (on forehead)
• Talam
• Lepa
• Nadi sweda with vatahara dravya sidha kashaya
• Shirobhyanga
• Shiro picchu
• Shirodhara
• Shiro vasti
• Nasya (taila/grita)
• Virechana-sneha

Internal Ayurveda medicines used in Tension headache

Kashaya

• Bala shadangam kashaya
• Bhärngyadi kashaya
• Chiruvilwädi kashaya
• Dashamula kashãya (dhara)
• Gandharavahastädi kashaya
• Kalyanakam kashaya
• Mahakalyänakam kashaya
• Pathyashadangam kashaya
• Vidaryadi kashaya

Arishta / asava

• Abhayarishtam
• Aswagandharishtam
• Balärishtam
• Saraswatarishtam

Churma

• Aswagandha+shankhapushpi + brahmi churna with milk
• Adhinashaka churna
• Kacchuradi churna
• Panchagandha churna
• Sankhapushpi + Guduchi churna / swarasa (int)
• Shunthi + balā churna with milk (lepana/talam)

Gulika/Vati/Guggulu

• Aswagandha gulika
• Dhānwnatram gulika
• Karutta gulika (lepana)
• Manasamitra vatakam
• Vettumaran gulika

Taila (int/ext/nasya)

• Anu tailam (nasya)
• Asanavilwadi taila
• Bala taila
• Balaguluchyadi taila
• Balashwagandhādi taila
• Brahmi taila
• Brihat dashamula taila
• Chandanadi taila
• Dhanwantaram taila
• Gandharveranda taila (int)
• Hingutriguna taila (int)
• Kayatirumeni taila
• Kshirabala taila
• Narayana taila
• Prasarani taila
• Tenginpushpadi taila

Ghrita

• Brihat panchamula siddha ghita
• Dashamula siddha ghita (nasya)
• Jivanthyädi ghita
• Kalyanakam ghita
• Mahakalyanakam ghita
• Panchagavya ghita
• Varanadi ghita
• Varanādi kshira ghita (nasya)
• Vidärikalyanaka ghita
• Vidäryädi ghita

Lehya

• Ashwagandhadi lehya
• Brahma rasayana
• Nayopayam lehya

Bhasma

• Godanti + pravala bhasma
• Godanti bhasma + medhya drugs
• Hingula bhasma

Rasa/ dhatu/ Ioha preparations

• Ekangaveea rasa
• Laghumalini vasanta rasa
• Maha lakshmivilasa rasa
• Maha vatavidhwamsa rasa
• Samirapannaga rasa
• Siddha makaradwaja rasa
• Shirashuladi vajra rasa
• Tribhuvanakirti rasa

Talam

• Balā churna with dhānwnataram taila or Kshirabala taila – talam
• Kacchuradi churna with kshirabala taila – talam

Wholesome diet in tension headache

• Milk
• Sugarcane juice
• Tender coconut water
• Ghee
• Jaggery
• Butter
• Buttermilk
• Mango
• Banana
• Dates
• Ash guard
• Pumpkin
• Drumstick
• Cumin seeds
• Rice
• Wheat

Unwholesome diet in tension headache

• Honey
• Barley
• Unripe fruits
• Peas
• Groundnut
• Potato
• Chilly
• Pepper
• Excess spicy foods
• Junk foods

All these can increase Vata Dosha, irritate the nerves and worsen headache.

Activities to reduce tension headache

• Sleep
• Soothing music
• Dry gentle massage just with your finger tips
• Meditation
• Less people around you
• Switch off your phone and stay away from it for 1 hour.
• Turn off light
• Lower the brightness of your phone and computer.
• Simple Anuloma Viloma Pranayama for 2 minutes
• Yoga and Meditation

At KPN Ayurveda, we provide the best Tension Headache - Ayurveda Management in Hassan.