Tension-type headaches are one of the most common headaches experienced by
adults.
They are often described as a dull, aching pain or a feeling of pressure around the
forehead, temples, or the back of the head. Some people also notice tightness through
the neck and shoulders.
While poor posture and muscle tension can contribute, stress is often one of the biggest
factors.
When we experience stress, the body’s nervous system prepares us to respond.
Muscles naturally tighten as part of this response, particularly around the neck,
shoulders, and jaw.
If stress continues over days or weeks, these muscles can remain in a constant state of
tension.
Over time, this ongoing muscle tension may contribute to tension-type headaches and
reduced movement through the neck and upper back.
Stress can also contribute by:
• Increasing muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and jaw
• Reducing sleep quality and recovery
• Increasing sensitivity within the nervous system
• Contributing to jaw clenching or teeth grinding
• Reducing the body’s ability to cope with physical and emotional load
For many people, tension-type headaches are not caused by a single factor but by a
combination of stress, posture, workload, movement habits, and muscle tension.
In myotherapy, treatment aims to reduce excessive muscle tension, improve movement
through the neck and upper back, and identify contributing factors that may be placing
ongoing stress on the body.
Treatment may include hands-on therapy, joint mobilisation, movement advice,
strengthening exercises, and strategies to help manage physical stress.
The goal is not simply to relieve today’s headache.
It is to reduce the factors contributing to recurring headaches and help the body become
more resilient over time.
Managing stress is not just about feeling calmer.
It can also play an important role in reducing muscle tension, improving recovery, and
supporting long-term headache management.