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Tension Headache

Tension headache — what kind of condition is it?

Tension headache — what kind of condition is it? — Source: Illustration: Pain distribution in primary headache types · Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Source : Illustration: Pain distribution in primary headache types · Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Tension headache is the most common form of headache. Mild to moderate in intensity, it does not usually prevent daily activity. What often happens instead is that people endure it for months or years, using painkillers as needed to manage symptoms.

Recurring headache attacks lead on to reduced concentration, lower productivity at work or school, and chronic fatigue, markedly lowering quality of life. Left untreated it can become chronic, worsening into headache on nearly every day, or change in character into medication-overuse headache, so diagnosis and treatment should not be delayed.

Check the main symptoms of tension headache

A tightening headacheA headache that feels like tightening or pressure
No dizziness or queasinessLittle or no dizziness or queasiness accompanying the headache
Worse in the afternoonWorse in the afternoon than the morning, and painful when stressed or tired
Daily life remains possibleHeadache makes things hard, but not to the point of preventing work
Knotted neck and shouldersThe back of the neck and shoulders are always knotted too
Sleep problemsSleep is insufficient, or you wake unrefreshed

The more of the above that apply, the more likely a tension headache. However, it can be confused with migraine without aura and may be accompanied by cervicogenic headache, so examination by a neurologist is necessary.

Treatment of tension headache at Centum Neurology Clinic

Ultrasound-guided nerve blockWe treat the nerve generating the pain to relieve acute symptoms
Cervical nerve root injectionPerformed to treat the accompanying cervical abnormality and nerve root
Extracorporeal shockwave therapyPerformed to relieve accompanying tension in the cervical and occipital muscles
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)A new option for patients with chronic headache unresponsive to medication

※ This is general medical information provided for understanding only. Actual diagnosis and treatment are determined by a specialist after examination, based on the individual patient's condition.

Advanced Equipment

  • SIEMENS3T AI MRIWe add AI imaging (Deep Resolve) to a proven Siemens 3T MRI to examine neurological conditions faster and more clearly.
  • MRACerebrovascular and carotid MRAIt accurately evaluates the degree of atherosclerosis, stenosis, structural abnormality, and the presence of aneurysm in the vessels of the brain and neck.
  • Carotid USCarotid UltrasoundCarotid wall thickness and plaque are examined to assess stroke risk.
  • NCS / EMGNerve conduction studiesNerves in the arms, legs, and face are safely stimulated electrically and the responses recorded, establishing whether peripheral nerve damage is present and how severe it is.
  • EPEvoked potential testBy safely stimulating the visual and auditory pathways electrically, damage to the cranial nerves can be identified.
  • EEGAI digital EEGBeyond the conventional identification of epileptiform waveforms, quantitative EEG with the latest AI software aids in assessing brain function in headache, anxiety, and depression.
  • VNGVideo nystagmographyBy recording and analyzing involuntary eye movement on video, this test is useful for distinguishing dizziness disorders such as BPPV and Meniere's disease.
  • HRV / SSRAutonomic Function TestEquipment that objectively assesses the balance between the body's sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves.
  • PWV / ABIArterial elasticity testingBy measuring vessel elasticity and the degree of atherosclerosis, it readily assesses the risk of circulatory disturbance and cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease.
  • Wearable ECG/BPWearable cardiac function testingA micro-sensor continuously analyzes blood pressure and ECG over 24 hours to identify cardiac dysfunction capable of causing a stroke.
  • SNSB / CERADNeuropsychological testingIt distinguishes simple forgetfulness from dementia and objectively evaluates cognitive function including memory.
  • LABBlood and genetic testingWe identify risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, including dyslipidemia, and look for high-risk dementia genes in advance so that prevention can begin.