5 Ways to Relieve a Tension Headache Without Medication

You can relieve a tension headache with acetaminophen or NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). If you get a tension headache on the go and don’t have medications with you, try these techniques before making another trip to the pharmacy.

If you regularly have tension headaches that don’t improve with medication or stress-relieving techniques, see a doctor.

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Written by:

Marisa Taylor Karas

Marisa Taylor Karas is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn who has covered health, gender, and technology for 15 years. She previously worked at The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera America, among other publications, and also served as managing editor of the Mellon Foundation in New York City.

Reviewed by:

Alexandra Schwarz, MD

Alexandra Schwarz, MD, is a board-eligible sleep medicine physician and a board-certified family medicine physician. She is a member of both the AASM and the ABFM.

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