Get it checked at Bodyline Health, Lower Plenty
We see patients from across the Diamond Valley, including Eltham, Greensborough, Montmorency, Rosanna and Heidelberg. No referral needed, free parking, onsite X-ray when clinically indicated and HICAPS claiming on the spot.
Tension headache vs migraine: a guide from the Bodyline Health team at 17 Main Road, Lower Plenty.
What is a tension headache?
A tension headache is the most common type of headache. It is usually:
- Mild to moderate
- Felt as a tight band or pressure across the forehead, temples or back of the head
- On both sides
- Not made worse by routine activity
- Without nausea or vomiting
Tension headaches are often linked with stress, poor sleep, long hours at a screen and tight neck and shoulder muscles.
What is a migraine?
Migraine is a neurological condition, not just a bad headache. Attacks often involve:
- Moderate to severe, throbbing pain, often on one side
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light, sound or smells
- Pain made worse by movement
- In some people, an aura beforehand – flashing lights, zig-zag lines or tingling
Attacks can last from a few hours to a few days.
Tension headache vs migraine: key differences
- Location: tension headache is usually both sides; migraine is often one side
- Feeling: tension headache feels like pressure; migraine is often throbbing
- Other symptoms: nausea and light sensitivity point towards migraine
- Activity: migraine is usually worse with movement
Many people have both, and neck problems can contribute to either. Headaches that start in the neck are called cervicogenic headaches.
Managing tension headaches
Regular movement breaks, a well set-up workstation, good sleep, hydration and managing stress all help. Hands-on care for stiff neck joints and tight muscles can reduce how often tension headaches occur. See our headache and migraine treatment page.
Managing migraine
Migraine is best managed with your GP, who can discuss medicines to treat attacks and to prevent them. Keeping a diary of triggers – sleep, food, stress, hormones – helps. Where neck stiffness is part of the picture, hands-on care may be a useful addition.
Who at Bodyline Health can help with headaches?
Because our practitioners work under one roof, your care can be shared between people who talk to each other.
- Dr Phillip Mifsud (Chiropractor): assessment of the neck and upper back and care for neck-related headaches.
- Keryn Arrowsmith (Myotherapist): myotherapy and dry needling for tight neck and jaw muscles.
- Dr Catherine Farchione (Chinese Medicine Practitioner): acupuncture as part of a headache management plan.
When to seek urgent medical help
Call 000 for a sudden, severe “thunderclap” headache, a headache with fever and stiff neck, confusion, weakness, numbness, trouble speaking or vision loss, or a headache after a head injury. In an emergency, call 000.
Further reading: Headache (Better Health Channel); Migraine (Healthdirect Australia).
Common questions
Can neck problems cause tension headaches?
Yes. Stiff joints and tight muscles in the upper neck can refer pain into the head.
When should I see a doctor about headaches?
See your GP if headaches are new, changing, getting more frequent, or if you need pain relief on many days each month.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed for a standard appointment at Bodyline Health.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for individual medical advice. If you are unsure, see your GP or book an assessment.
