Tension headaches cause pain and tightening pressure in the head and sometimes the neck. So when these headaches strike, your first inclination may be to run straight for the medicine cabinet, and grab the nearest bottle of pain medication to relieve the discomfort. But pain medication is not your only option; there are plenty of drug-free ways to get rid of a stress-related headache.

9 Common Causes of Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are the result of stress from a number of things that are experienced in everyday life including:

" not getting enough sleep

" being overexcited (getting a new job, planning a wedding, etc.)

" dealing with family pressures (finances, spouse, children)

" job related issues

" school stress

" poor diet

" anxiety

" lack of exercise

" dehydration

Drug-Free Treatments for Tension Headaches

Acupuncture, massage, and aromatherapy are all ways to naturally treat tension headaches. At the onset of a tension headache, mix several drops of soothing essential oils such as peppermint, basil, lavender, eucalyptus, and sandalwood in an aromatherapy burner to fill the room with the relaxing scents of the oils.

The aromatherapy oils can also be massaged on the temples of the head to soothe headaches.

Get a regular massage from a licensed masseuse to loosen knotted muscles, and release natural pain killers in the body. If you can't afford to pay a massage therapist, you can either get your significant other to massage your neck and shoulders, or massage these areas of the body yourself to relieve tension.

Acupuncture is a Chinese medical practice that involves the use of disposable or sterilized needles. These needles are inserted along pathways of the body to unblock energy, and calm the sympathetic nervous system to relieve pain. Acupuncture should only be done by qualified individuals, so contact a licensed acupuncturist to see if this type of treatment is right for you.

How to Prevent Tension Headaches

Stress is an inevitable part of life, and there is no possible way to eliminate it all. But lifestyle changes such as eating a nutritious diet, exercising, and avoiding the things that trigger tension headaches can help you manage stress, and reduce the frequency of headaches.

Exercise can be any combination of aerobics, biking, kick-boxing, swimming, running, walking, yoga, or Pilates. To get the most out of your workouts, aim for at least one hour of moderate physical activity five days a week. Also, limit the amount of junk foods you eat, and stick to a diet that is full of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

With the amount of stress in everyday life, it can be tough to pinpoint exactly what triggers tension headaches. Keep a headache diary, and each time you get a headache write down everything that happened in the hours leading up to it. Eventually you'll find patterns that will enable you to identify headache triggers, and you'll be able to avoid them in the future.

Even with preventive measures, tension headaches may happen from time-to-time - and when they strike, pain medications are not your only recourse. Acupuncture, massage, and aromatherapy are all excellent drug-free alternatives to treat these types of headaches.