Rest, control emotions, and treat tension headaches with transcranial magnetic stimulation as prescribed by your doctor to help improve the condition.
Tension or tension headaches are pain mainly on both sides of the head, not throbbing, with moderate pain intensity. Patients often feel a dull pain like being squeezed, squeezed or tightened around the head. The disease can occur at any age and gender, but the incidence in women is often higher than in men.
Dr. CKI Tran Thanh Thuy, specialist in Neurology, Tam Anh General Clinic, District 7, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that the cause of muscle tension headaches has not yet been determined. However, people who often sit in one position for a long time, do stressful work, stay in cramped spaces with lack of oxygen, or suffer from depression, are at higher risk.
Patients suspected of having headaches due to muscle tension should be examined at a hospital with a specialist in Neurology to receive an accurate diagnosis from a doctor. Dr. Thuy noted that symptoms of muscle tension headaches are easily confused with headaches due to other causes. If left for a long time, it can affect physical and mental health. Patients should avoid overusing pain relievers or arbitrarily using medication without a doctor’s prescription. Depending on the case, your doctor may apply a number of measures to treat and control this condition.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation: This is a non-invasive treatment method that creates a strong and short-term magnetic field that can penetrate the skin and skull. This technique helps create changes in electrical waves and nerve network function, thereby promoting recovery or adjusting nerve activity, contributing to reducing symptoms of tension headaches.
Sit in correct posture: People who often sit a lot such as office workers, workers, tailors… should maintain correct sitting posture to help reduce the risk of headaches causing muscle tension due to incorrect posture. The correct sitting posture is to have your head straight between your shoulders, not too bent over, your back straight and not sagging. You need to stand up and walk once every 30 minutes of sitting.
Control emotions, reduce stress: Pressure, anxiety, negative thoughts directly impact the mind, causing muscle tension headaches. Patients should maintain a happy and comfortable spirit. Learn how to relax, unwind or reduce stress or see a psychologist when needed.
Rest scientifically: Patients with tension headaches should proactively allocate work and study schedules, arrange reasonable rest time, get enough sleep (7-8 hours per night) and take short naps (15-20 minutes).
Exercise regularly: Each person should regularly exercise moderately or practice some subjects such as yoga, meditation, gym, jogging, cycling… These activities help improve overall health and support treatment. or prevent headaches when stressed.
Massage, hot and cold compresses: When having a headache, patients should temporarily stop using electronic devices such as laptops, televisions, cell phones, and iPads. Patients can pat the forehead, massage the temples, and apply hot or cold compresses to soothe muscle tension headaches. Proper deep breathing stimulates the body’s ability to release endorphins, reducing stress responses, thereby reducing pain.
Doctor Thanh Thuy recommends that patients eat a full, balanced diet with nutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. Increase green vegetables and fruits, drink 1.5-2 liters of water every day. Supplementing natural active ingredients from blueberry (blueberry), ginkgo biloba (ginkgo) helps regulate brain blood, increase nutrients to the brain, reduce headaches and insomnia. Avoid smoking, do not use alcohol and psychoactive substances.