Understanding the Difference Between a Tension Headache vs Migraine

Head pain is a super common ailment experienced by people around the globe each year. In fact, more than 42 million adults in the United States alone report experiencing migraines or extreme headaches1. But how can you tell whether you’re having a migraine vs tension headache? While they’re two of the most common types of headaches and can seem similar at first, there’s a difference between migraine and tension headache pain that makes it easier to manage symptoms.

Continue reading as we compare and contrast a tension headache vs migraine. Learn the differences between them, how they manifest, common triggers, as well as methods to manage them as quickly as possible.

Have you read our guide on managing a headache vs migraine? For supplemental material, be sure to check out that article next.

Difference Between Migraine and Tension Headache

Where the two conditions may start with similar symptoms and can sometimes be challenging to differentiate in their initial stages, there are noticeable differences between migraine and tension headache experiences. Learning to recognize when it’s a tension headache vs migraine is vital to deciding on a course of action to manage symptoms and alleviate pain as quickly as possible.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches often manifest as a dull, aching feeling that wraps around your forehead or the back of your head at your neck. They’re the most common type of headache and can feel as if the pain is radiating from deep within.

Common symptoms of a tension headache vs migraine are:

• Constant pain or pressure around your head.
• Tenderness on your scalp, neck, and shoulder muscles.
• Temporary loss of appetite.

When comparing a tension headache vs migraine, you’ll find tension headaches don’t usually include severe nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound. Those are symptoms that tend to lend themselves more to migraines and can help you differentiate between the two.

Migraines

One experience with a migraine vs tension headache gives you firsthand knowledge on how they differentiate in terms of severity and symptoms. Migraines are a neurological condition that can cause intense, throbbing pain, sometimes on one side of your head. These types of headaches can last from a few hours to several days, and frequently produce a significant interruption in your daily activities.

Common migraine symptoms include:

• Pulsating or throbbing pain, often on one side of your head.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Sensitivity to light and sound.
• Visual interruptions like flashing lights or blind spots.

As you learn more about a migraine vs tension headache, you’ll also see how migraines are frequently associated with other symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, or a difficulty concentrating. The more intense nature of migraines make them more intrusive until they subside.

Migraines vs cluster headaches: Don’t confuse migraines with cluster headaches, another type of headache you may experience. Learn how to treat cluster headaches naturally after this article.

Causes of a Tension Headache Vs. Migraine

When it comes to the causes of a tension headache vs migraine, it’s helpful to know what kinds of triggers affect you most in order to avoid them as much as possible. While it may not be possible to completely rid yourself of stress or other daily factors, identifying the root triggers can at least help you determine the best course of action or to recognize when you may be in dangerous territory leading towards one of these head pains.

Tension headaches are often associated with muscle strain and stress. They can also be triggered by things like poor posture, stress or anxiety, eye strain from looking at screens for too long, fatigue, and dehydration. Tension headaches tell you that your body is out of equilibrium. They’re the kind of headaches linked to physical or emotional stressors that can lead to muscle tension in your head and neck area.

When it comes to the causes of a migraine vs tension headache, it’s a little more nuanced. They can be triggered by hormonal changes, certain foods and drinks, sleep deprivation, bright lights, or even strong smells. You might also experience migraines because of changes in barometric pressure during weather changes. One other significant difference between migraine and tension headache occurrences is that migraines could also be hereditary, with some people more predisposed to experiencing them. With so many potential causes, it’s vital to learn how to avoid migraine triggers as much as possible.

While it’s important to recognize the different causes of a tension headache vs migraine, there are some areas in which triggers overlap for both. Stress, sleep issues, hunger, and dehydration all contribute to both of these ailments.

How to Manage a Tension Headache or Migraine

Now that you’ve got a better understanding of the difference between a tension headache vs migraine, let’s discuss managing both types of ailments. No matter what you’re experiencing, the important thing is to manage symptoms as quickly and effectively as possible. While there’s no immediate cure for either, there are plenty of techniques you can try that help against both.

Consider methods like:

1. Getting a massage for tension headaches and migraines
2. Staying hydrated
3. Practicing stress management techniques
4. Keeping active regularly

1. Getting a Massage for Tension Headaches and Migraines

Even though there’s a difference between migraine and tension headache pain, getting a massage is a great way to help both ailments. They’re particularly beneficial for tension headaches, however, when targeting muscles in your neck, shoulders, and upper back. Massage helps to increase blood flow, alleviate muscle tension, and decrease stress levels to avoid triggers for both conditions.

Getting into a massage therapist right without a prior appointment can be a challenge and costly over time. For home treatments on your schedule whenever the need arises, consider zero gravity vibration massage chairs or air pressure massage zero gravity recliners. They’re useful for more than treating a tension headache vs migraine; they’re ideal for facilitating better overall health to keep you healthy all the time.

2. Staying Hydrated

Dehydration is a common trigger for both conditions. Whether it’s a tension headache vs migraines, lacking enough water lowers your blood volume, which then decreases the blood circulation to your brain. Be sure you’re drinking plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you’re sweating due to exercise.

To help you get more water intake daily, consider additional water-based beverages like decaffeinated coffee or herbal tea. This can break up the monotony of having just plain water throughout the day.

3. Practicing Stress Management Techniques

You won’t find a trigger difference between migraine and tension headache when it comes to stress. It’s impossible to completely avoid stress each day, but you can learn how to cope with it and stress management techniques to prevent tension headaches or migraines from developing. Consider easy routines like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises to help you relax and decrease stress levels.

Exercises also help with stress relief, as does using a zero gravity chair. Reclining in the zero gravity position alleviates excess pressure on your lower back and pelvic area. It also helps your muscles relax and repair themselves more effectively. Zero gravity position benefits also include improving circulation and facilitating relaxation that helps prevent or relieve headaches and migraines.

4. Keeping Active Regularly

Staying active is another effective way to alleviate or prevent tension headaches and migraines. Exercise releases endorphins within your body that reduce pain and improve your mood. Activities like walking, swimming, yoga, or cycling all work well to increase blood flow throughout your body, release muscle tension, and decrease your likelihood of developing a tension headache or migraine in the future.

Try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity in 5 days each week. Be sure to practice a post-workout recovery routine to keep yourself from experiencing ailments like delayed onset muscle soreness, which can contribute to tension headaches.

Treat Your Tension Headache vs Migraine

Whether it’s a tension headache vs migraine, neither is a comfortable experience. Identifying the difference between migraine and tension headache pain makes it easier to take the right steps for managing symptoms quickly and efficiently. With the techniques in this guide, you’ll find pain relief sooner and potentially avoid tension headaches and migraines from occurring as frequently in the future.

Disclaimer: This content is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare professional when considering implementing changes to your health or workout routines to ensure it’s compatible with your needs.

Additional Sources

1. https://headachemigraine.org/wp-content/uploads/Headache-Diseases-Stats-Guide.pdf