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Journal of Education, Health and Sport

Beyond Pain: Innovative Approaches to Tension-Type Headache Management and Treatment
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Beyond Pain: Innovative Approaches to Tension-Type Headache Management and Treatment

Authors

  • Jakub Wójcik Szpital Kliniczny Dzieciątka Jezus, Williama Heerleina Lindleya 4, 02-005 Warszawa https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9732-9632
  • Ewa Błaszczak Szpital Kliniczny Dzieciątka Jezus, Williama Heerleina Lindleya 4, 02-005 Warszawa https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5173-5285
  • Martyna Dydyk Centralny Szpital Kliniczny. ul. Banacha 1A, 02-097 Warszawa https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5906-3406
  • Aleksander Małachowski Samodzielny Publiczny Zespół Opieki Zdrowotnej w Mińsku Mazowieckim, ul. Szpitalna 37, 05-300 Mińsk Mazowiecki https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4924-0000
  • Piotr Malinowski Mazowiecki Szpital Bródnowski, Ludwika Kondratowicza 8, 03-242 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9835-6621
  • Urszula Kopczyńska Powiatowe Centrum Medyczne w Grójcu, Piotra Skargi 10, 05-600 Grójec, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7443-5975
  • Cezary Kopczyński Samodzielny Publiczny Zespół Zakładów Opieki Zdrowotnej w Lipsku, Jędrzeja Sniadeckiego 2, 27-300 Lipsko https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2620-4874
  • Kinga Gurdak Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1474-9630
  • Martyna Dyrek Szpital Czerniakowski, Stępińska 19/25 00-739 Warszawa https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6182-7835
  • Aleksandra Partyka Centralny Szpital Kliniczny. ul. Banacha 1A, 02-097 Warszawa https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6583-1110

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2024.70.55739

Keywords

Tension-Type Headache, pain managment, Headache, pharmacological treatment, non-pharmacological treatment, botulinum toxin type A, psychadelic, Caffeine

Abstract

Introduction: Tension-type headache (TTH) is a common neurological disorder characterized by bilateral head pain and muscle tension, affecting up to 78% of the population. Despite its prevalence, TTH has historically received less attention than migraines. However, recent years have seen increased interest in understanding its pathophysiology and treatment options. This review comprehensively analyzes TTH management, covering non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches to guide clinical practice and future research effectively.

State of Knowledge: TTHs manifest as bilateral, pressing, encircling head pain, profoundly affecting individuals' quality of life. Recent years have witnessed increased interest in TTH understanding and treatment. Non-pharmacological interventions, including behavioral modifications, exercise, dietary adjustments, sleep hygiene, physical therapy, psychotherapy, and pharmacological treatments like over-the-counter medications, prophylactic drugs, psychedelics, and botulinum toxin A, have shown promise in alleviating symptoms.

Conclusion: This review highlights the multifaceted management of TTH. Non-pharmacological interventions, including behavioral modifications and psychotherapy, offer symptom relief. Body awareness therapy, exercise, and psychotherapy benefit TTH symptoms and quality of life. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, and amitriptyline are standard treatments, with emerging options like psychedelics and botulinum toxin A. Personalizing treatment and understanding TTH mechanisms pose challenges. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for enhancing management and outcomes. More research is required to identify optimal treatments and long-term efficacy. Despite challenges, progress in TTH management brings hope for better patient care.

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Published

2024-10-27

How to Cite

1.
WÓJCIK, Jakub, BŁASZCZAK, Ewa, DYDYK, Martyna, MAŁACHOWSKI, Aleksander, MALINOWSKI, Piotr, KOPCZYŃSKA, Urszula, KOPCZYŃSKI, Cezary, GURDAK, Kinga, DYREK, Martyna and PARTYKA, Aleksandra. Beyond Pain: Innovative Approaches to Tension-Type Headache Management and Treatment. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. Online. 27 October 2024. Vol. 70, p. 55739. [Accessed 24 May 2025]. DOI 10.12775/JEHS.2024.70.55739.
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Vol. 70 (2024)

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Medical Sciences

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Copyright (c) 2024 Jakub Wójcik, Ewa Błaszczak, Martyna Dydyk, Aleksander Małachowski, Piotr Malinowski, Urszula Kopczyńska, Cezary Kopczyński, Kinga Gurdak, Martyna Dyrek, Aleksandra Partyka

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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