{"id":3017,"date":"2026-07-27T09:00:29","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T07:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hiklin.dk\/?p=3017"},"modified":"2026-06-15T14:48:44","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T12:48:44","slug":"tension-headache","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hiklin.dk\/en\/spaendingshovedpine\/","title":{"rendered":"Tension headaches: causes, symptoms, and what helps"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"l-section wpb_row height_medium\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_flex valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><p>It appears in the middle of the workday. A pressing, tightening sensation around the head \u2013 like a band that is too tight. The pressure in the temples, soreness in the neck, the light makes it a little worse. It is a tension headache \u2013 and it is far more common than most people know.<\/p>\n<h3>What is tension headache?<\/h3>\n<p>Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. They are also called tension headaches or tension-related headaches.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike migraines, tension headaches typically do not cause nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light. They are characterized by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A pressing or tightening sensation \u2013 like a band around the head<\/li>\n<li>Pain on both sides of the head<\/li>\n<li>Light to moderate intensity \u2013 it does not prevent activity, but it affects it<\/li>\n<li>No worsening with physical activity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>What triggers tension headaches?<\/h3>\n<p>Tension headaches are most often caused by a combination of muscle tension \u2013 especially in the neck, shoulders and jaw \u2013 and factors that intensify this tension:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Stress and psychological pressure: Stress is the most common cause. The body stays on alert \u2013 and the muscles in the neck and jaw are constantly tense.<\/li>\n<li>Sedentary work: Hours at the computer with your head bent forward puts strain on the neck muscles and can directly trigger tension headaches.<\/li>\n<li>Poor sleep: Insufficient or restless sleep lowers the pain threshold and increases the risk of headaches.<\/li>\n<li>Dehydration: Even mild dehydration can trigger tension headaches.<\/li>\n<li>Jaw tension: Teeth grinding at night (bruxism) and jaw tension in everyday life is a classic and often overlooked cause.<\/li>\n<li>Eye strain: Screen without proper use of glasses, poor lighting or too long without breaks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Pressure in the temples \u2013 what is it?<\/h3>\n<p>Pressure or tenderness in the temples is one of the most characteristic signs of a tension headache. It is caused by tension in the temporalis muscle \u2013 the large chewing muscle that runs from the jaw joint up the side of the skull.<\/p>\n<p>When it tenses \u2013 due to stress, jaw tension or prolonged facial expression \u2013 it can cause a pressing, throbbing or stabbing pain in the temple.<\/p>\n<p>Jaw tension and temple pressure are often closely related \u2013 and treating one often helps the other.<\/p>\n<h3>When does massage help?<\/h3>\n<p>Massage is one of the most effective treatments for tension headaches. This is because the majority of causes are muscular \u2013 and massage works directly with the muscles.<\/p>\n<p>A good treatment focuses on:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Neck and shoulders: This is where the tension is located, pulling up the back of the head and causing heaviness.<\/li>\n<li>Jaw and temples: Releasing the masticatory muscles and the temporal muscle relieves pressure in the side of the head.<\/li>\n<li>Upper back: Tensions here contribute to the overall tension picture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Many people experience relief already during treatment \u2013 and the effect typically lasts for the days following.<\/p>\n<h3>What can you do yourself?<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Heating pad on neck and shoulders \u2013 15-20 minutes at a time<\/li>\n<li>Gentle neck stretching exercises \u2013 turn your head slowly and let it hang heavy<\/li>\n<li>Gently massage your temples with your fingers in circular motions.<\/li>\n<li>Drink water \u2013 1.5-2 liters a day is a minimum<\/li>\n<li>Take breaks from the screen every 45-60 minutes<\/li>\n<li>Try to notice if you clench your teeth \u2013 and consciously relax your jaw.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>When should you seek medical attention?<\/h3>\n<p>Tension headaches are not dangerous \u2013 but it is important to rule out other causes. See a doctor if:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The headache comes on suddenly and is very intense (&#039;thunderclap headache&#039;)<\/li>\n<li>You have a fever, stiff neck, or are confused<\/li>\n<li>The headache is new and different from anything you have experienced before<\/li>\n<li>You have frequent or daily headaches over a long period of time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Prevent rather than treat<\/h3>\n<p>The best way to deal with tension headaches is to prevent them. Regular massage \u2013 once a month \u2013 is one of the best investments you can make in your well-being. It keeps muscles loose, the stress response down, and the body in balance.<\/p>\n<p>Call 45 88 88 50 or write to klinikken@hiklin.dk \u2013 we will find the right treatment for you.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hiklin.onlinebooq.dk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Book an appointment for treatment here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Den dukker op midt p\u00e5 arbejdsdagen. En pressende, strammende fornemmelse rundt om hovedet &#8211; som et for stramt b\u00e5nd. Trykken i tindingerne, \u00f8mhed i nakken, lyset g\u00f8r det lidt v\u00e6rre. Det er sp\u00e6ndingshovedpine &#8211; og den er langt mere udbredt end de fleste ved. Hvad er sp\u00e6ndingshovedpine? Sp\u00e6ndingshovedpine er den mest almindelige form for hovedpine....","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3029,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3017","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ikke-kategoriseret"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hiklin.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3017","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hiklin.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hiklin.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hiklin.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hiklin.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3017"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/hiklin.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3017\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3031,"href":"https:\/\/hiklin.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3017\/revisions\/3031"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hiklin.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3017"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hiklin.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3017"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hiklin.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3017"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}