Any tips to ease a tension headache?

I woke up with a headache this morning and it's gradually got worse throughout the day. I've had a lot of water to drink, thinking it was due to dehydration, and I've taken a combination of pain killers, including prescription strength painkillers, and the headache is still there.

It's a typical tension type headache, feels as though there's a tight band around my head etc and hasn't responded to painkillers.

So......any tips on how to get rid of tension headaches? What works for you? I tried lying down for an hour earlier, that didn't help either!

It's definitely not due to hypertension or anything like that, and I have no concerns about any underlying sinister cause. I'll be a doctor myself in a few months, and I know it's definitely a tension headache - I get them fairly often when I'm stressed and anxious, and today has certainly been a stressful day! Thanks for the suggestions so far. In terms of pain relief, I've already tried paracetamol (tylenol), ibuprofen (motrin?) and diclofenac (voltarol). None of which have made any difference.

Stress is a very large cause of tension headaches. Somehow or another you have to reduce the stress, even if it is only for a little while. Do something to "remove" yourself from the stress and stress sources.

Sometimes it is as simple as watching a good movie, or the "guaranteed cry" movie. (Walk in the Clouds makes me cry) Or going for a walk, or driving a different way home to enjoy the scenery. These help you get into another mindset.

Another great thing is a golf ball. I put one in my palm and roll it around on my hand and my neck when I am feeling tense. Put the golf ball on the floor and roll it around under your foot. You can also pinch and rub the "web" between your fingers and thumb. At home, massage your hands and feet. It's surprisingly therapetic.

Or my favorite is use one hand to encircle your upper arm and slowly pull your hand down your arm. Then do the other. Use both hands to circle your thigh, and "pull" the tension out your legs.

I am sorry you have a tension headache, and hope it gets better.

Try a painkiller with caffeine (like Anacin) together with an antacid (like Tums). My wife used to get bad headaches and a medication that had those two ingredients seemed to work great. The medication is no longer available.

work out more...it could be high blood pressure, i use to get those and i just did about 200 jumping jacks a day and it went away...

Get a massage...have someone rub your neck ,,,, Ice pack on the back of the neck sometimes helps ..... If it gets worse you should go to the doctor.... Hope that you feel better soon

Massage your own temples (at the side of your head, level with your eyes) and push quite hard in spots along your eyebrows, starting from the middle and working to the outside. Lie down and relax, breathing deeply. Screw up all the muscles you can, then let go. Repeat.

okayy, i thnk advil works really good and if it doesnt work try cooling it off with cold water cause i herd it works and if it still doesnt work after a few days i thnk you should meet your doctor. HOPE IT HELPS!!~

Massage or physical therapy might be the answer. Stress reduction and relaxation techniques might treat it too. Certain herbs have been known to control them. Check with your health provider if they become constant.

releave tension. Close your eyes and breath deeply. Try to concentrate on your breathing and not the pain. Think happy thoughts (cliche, right...it works) Don't let anything bother you. Keep concentrating on your breathing. (try to equalize the time it takes to breath in with the time it takes to breath out) Get away from the computer!!!

works for me, anyway

You've taken sinus pain killers? And a nap? Try a steamy shower in the dark. Just sit in there and let the water pound on your head and face. Listen to relaxing classical music...really. And even a bowel of choclate choclate fudge ice cream with some choclate suryp over the top.Ge tinto some soft baggy clothes and kick your feet up.

If it lasts for more than 2 or 3 days you might want to consider the doctor though.

Tension headache is bestly treted by anxiolytic drug like clobazam 10 mg twice daily with Paracetamol thrice daily.

1) DO YOU WEAR GLASSES? THEY EITHER MAY BE TOO STRONG OR NOT STRONG ENOUGH. (2) I PERSONALLY USE TYLENOL FOR MIGRAINES. DON'T WATCH TV WITH THE LIGHTS OFF.AND(3) I WOULD RECOMEND THAT YOU GO SEE A DR. IF IT PERSISTS.THERE MAYBE SOMETHING ELSE WRONG.

YOU SHOULD SEE A DR

I get migraines and tension headaches. Medicines that work for me OTC are excedrin brand (they have ones specialized for migraine and tension sufferers) and for prescription painkillers like vicodin work excellent for me, and usually just half of one will do the trick. Sometimes getting some fresh air and going for a walk helps, or laying down and listening to relaxing music in a dark room. Good luck, I know how much it sucks! :(