Tension Headaches

Head

A tight band or steady pressure that builds through the day, often climbing up from a stiff neck and tight shoulders. Tension headaches tend to follow that same slow, squeezing pattern.

What it is

This kind of headache is frequently driven by muscular tension rather than anything in the head itself. The muscles at the base of the skull, along the neck, across the scalp, and in the jaw can hold tension and refer pain up into the head, which is why the ache often feels like it has no single source.

What makes it worse

Long stretches at a desk or screen, a clenched jaw, ongoing stress, and short or broken sleep all tend to feed the pattern. People often notice it ramps up on heavy work days and eases a little when the neck and shoulders get a break.

How PNMT helps

Your therapist starts with your headache history, then uses cervical range-of-motion and specific muscle tests to sort out whether the pain is coming from the neck (cervicogenic) or a tension-type pattern, and which muscles are actually involved. Treatment is precise work on muscles like the suboccipitals, upper trapezius, and cervical group, guided by your feedback until the referral into your head is reproduced. If the picture points to something that is not muscular, your therapist will say so and refer you on.

What to expect & how long

Headache patterns rarely unwind in one go, since the muscles feeding them have usually been working that way for a while; a short series of visits is the realistic picture, and recent flare-ups tend to settle faster than years-old patterns. Between visits you and your therapist compare how the head and neck feel, and that comparison shapes where the next session focuses. The work is about precision on the muscles driving the pain, not heavy pressure.

What clients say

Sarah and her team are amazing healers. I was having constant headaches and they were able to expediently reduce the pain and frequency. I now go once every 4-6 weeks for a tune up to relieve stress, and headaches have been at bay for over 9 months. These folks really know the human body and can help you live pain free.
Norie K. Read the full review on Google
This place is incredible! I had terrible headaches every day for over a year and I was loosing hope of finding relief because nothing was working. Within a few weeks of being treated at Somavida my headaches subsided exponentially! I have also been suffering from severe TMJ and they have helped that significantly too! I highly recommend this place. If you want relief from pain... this is the place to go!!! They are knowledgeable and friendly and super cost effective. Can't say enough good things. This place changed my life for the e better. So grateful to have found this great resource!
Danielle S. Read the full review on Yelp
WOW! I am headache free for the first time in years. So grateful that I found Sarah. Literally, her treatments have changed my life. Not only am I headache free, but Sarah has also been able to reduce and eliminate back, hip and wrist pain that I have suffered with for a long time. I did not know what it felt like to be pain free! Sarah is a great listener and did a great job of following what my body needed. And it only took a few treatments to see results! Highly recommend.
E H. Read the full review on Yelp

Don’t see your condition? Ask about other conditions we treat

Ready to Address Your Tension Headaches?

Book a New Client Session and your therapist will identify the source of your pain, then create a tailored treatment plan.

75-minute first visit. Two therapists assess, one treats; every follow-up is one-on-one with your therapist.

Your care isn't shaped by one therapist, the whole Somavida team is behind your treatment plan.

Book Ask Us Text Us