If a tight band of pressure wraps around your head by mid-afternoon, you are likely dealing with a tension headache. At The Spine and Wellness Center in Coral Springs, Dr. Jared Cohen, DC has helped patients across Coral Springs and Parkland find drug-free relief from the neck tightness, stress, and posture habits that drive these everyday headaches.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Jared Cohen, DC · Updated June 2026

What a tension headache actually is

A tension-type headache is the most common form of headache. It usually feels like dull, steady pressure or a tightening band across the forehead, temples, or the back of the head, rather than the sharp, throbbing pain of a migraine. The discomfort is typically mild to moderate and affects both sides of the head at once.

Unlike migraines, tension headaches rarely cause nausea, vomiting, or strong sensitivity to light and sound. Many patients describe them as a tight, fatigued feeling in the head and neck that builds gradually over the day and eases with rest.

Tension headache vs. migraine: how to tell the difference

Telling the two apart helps guide the right care. Tension headaches are usually pressing or tightening, on both sides, and not made dramatically worse by routine activity. Migraines tend to be one-sided, pulsating, and often come with nausea, visual auras, or a need to lie down in a dark room.

• Tension: dull band-like pressure, both sides, mild to moderate
• Tension: little or no nausea, light, or sound sensitivity
• Migraine: throbbing, often one-sided, moderate to severe
• Migraine: frequently includes nausea, aura, or light sensitivity

Because the two can overlap, it helps to have a professional evaluate your pattern. We provide migraine and headache care that begins with sorting out which type of headache you are experiencing so the plan actually fits the problem.

Common signs and symptoms

• Steady pressure or tightness around the head
• Tenderness in the scalp, neck, and shoulder muscles
• A feeling of the head being squeezed or in a vise
• Headaches that worsen with stress or long hours at a screen
• Stiffness when turning or tilting the neck

What causes tension headaches

Most tension headaches trace back to the muscles and joints of the neck and upper back. Sustained poor posture, long stretches at a computer or phone, jaw clenching, and emotional stress all keep these muscles contracted. Over time that constant tightness refers pain up into the head.

Forward head posture is a frequent culprit. When the head drifts ahead of the shoulders, the muscles at the base of the skull work overtime to hold it up. Poor sleep, dehydration, eye strain, and skipped meals can lower your threshold and turn an ordinary day into a headache day.

How we treat tension headaches at The Spine and Wellness Center

Our approach is conservative, drug-free, and aimed at the source rather than just masking symptoms. Through gentle chiropractic care, Dr. Cohen restores movement to the joints of the neck and upper back, which can relieve the muscular tension that triggers headaches in the first place.

Because the neck is so often involved, focused neck pain treatment is frequently part of the plan. We may combine spinal adjustments with soft-tissue work, stretches, and posture coaching so the muscles at the base of the skull stop pulling pain into your head. Patients across Coral Springs, Parkland, Coconut Creek, and Margate appreciate that we explain each step and tailor care to their daily routine.

Self-care and prevention you can start today

• Take a posture break every 30-45 minutes at your desk
• Set your screen at eye level and keep shoulders relaxed
• Stay hydrated and avoid skipping meals
• Use a supportive pillow that keeps the neck neutral
• Practice slow breathing or brief stretches when stress builds
• Keep a simple log of headache days, sleep, and triggers

When to see us in Coral Springs

If headaches are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, or interfering with work and sleep, it is time for an evaluation. The Spine and Wellness Center has served Coral Springs, Parkland, and nearby Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach since 2005, offering same-day appointments and accepting most major insurance. You can call (954) 341-2256 or visit our office at 5675 Coral Ridge Drive to get started.