Headache

Some headaches are caused by tension held in the jaw, neck, back or shoulder muscles. If you suffer from this type of headache, the first thing to try is relaxation of those muscles. E.g.:

Slacken the jaw and slightly open your mouth
Open the mouth wide and yawn a few times
Do stretching exercises for the neck or upper back
Try shoulder rolls and shrugs or windmill your arms
Consciously move your shoulders down and back, creating as much space as possible between your ears and your shoulders.

Using TENS therapy for tension related pain and headaches

If the pain from a tension headache persists after these manual attempts to ease muscle tightness, then you may consider TENS therapy. The purpose of the therapy is to release the muscle tension, which will then relieve the pain.

ActivBody is the TENS machine we suggest for tension related headache.

ActivBody electrotherapy can be used everyday - outside the clinic - for drug-free, on-demand pain relief, relaxation and easing of tight, tense muscles.

For most people, the sensation of TENS therapy on tense muscles is immediately comforting. Longer lasting results are achieved if the unit is left on for 60 minutes or more.

How to use ActivBody for headache

User Guide

Please read the User Guide that comes with your TENS machine.

Pad placement - tension related headache

Tension headaches are usually caused by referred pain. The tension is usually held in the jaw, neck, upper back shoulders or shoulder blades. TENS works most satisfactorily when you relieve the tension.

These are examples only. Please phone us if you need further advice.