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Tension headaches

Symptoms of a tension headache

Common symptoms of tension headaches include:

pain on both sides of your head, face or neck
feeling like something is pressing on your head or being tightened around it
the affected area may feel tender and your head may hurt more when touched

You should be able to continue doing daily activities without making the headache worse.

Tension headaches last at least 30 minutes but they can last much longer, sometimes for several days.

Find out about other types of headaches

Causes of tension headaches

Common causes of tension headaches include:

stress
sleep problems
caffeine

Taking painkillers for headaches too often or for a long time can also cause headaches. These are known as overuse or rebound headaches.

Tension headaches are not a sign of an underlying condition.

How to ease a tension headache

There are some things you can do to treat a tension headache yourself.

Do

use painkillers like paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen – paracetamol is the first choice of painkiller if you're pregnant, and children under 16 should not take aspirin
try doing activities to help you relax like exercise, yoga and massage
try changing your sleeping habits if sleep problems like insomnia may be causing your headaches
try using a low, firm pillow and heat or cold packs if you have neck pain and headaches

Don't

do not have drinks with caffeine in them like tea, coffee or cola - or try to cut down on them

A pharmacist can help with headaches

You can ask a pharmacist about:

the best painkiller to take, if you're not sure which is suitable for you
what to do if you're pregnant – some medicines (like ibuprofen) are not recommended in pregnancy
medicines for sleep problems like insomnia if you're having trouble sleeping and you think it may be causing your headaches

Find a pharmacy

Find out more about headaches in pregnancy

See a GP if:

you get headaches several times a week or they're severe
painkillers and activities to help you relax do not help your headaches
you have a throbbing pain at the front, or on 1 side of, your head
you feel sick, vomit and find light or noise painful

These can be signs of a different type of headache, such as a migraine or cluster headache.

Get an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if:

You or your child have a severe headache and:

jaw pain when eating
blurred or double vision
a sore scalp
other symptoms, such as numbness or weakness in the arms or legs

Also get an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if your child is under 12 years old and has any of the following:

a headache that wakes them at night
a headache when they wake up in the morning
a headache that gets progressively worse
a headache triggered or made worse by coughing, sneezing or bending down
a headache with vomiting
a headache with a squint (where the eyes point in different directions) or an inability to look upward

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Call 999 or go to A&E if you or your child:

have a head injury – for example, from a fall or accident
have a headache that came on suddenly and is extremely painful

You or your child have an extremely painful headache and:

sudden problems speaking or remembering things
loss of vision
feel drowsy or confused
a very high temperature and symptoms of meningitis
the white part of the eye is red

Also call 999 or go to A&E if your child is under 12 years old and has any of the following:

a headache with vision problems or difficulty speaking, swallowing, balancing or walking
a headache with drowsiness or a persistent lack of energy
a headache that starts within 5 days of a head injury

What happens at your GP appointment

If you have regular tension headaches, a GP may suggest you keep a headache diary to record details of your headaches like:

how often you get them and how long they last
how painful they are and any other symptoms you have
possible causes
any medicines you take to help

The GP may advise you about taking painkillers for tension headaches, such as when to take medicine and how often you should take it.

You may be referred to a specialist if painkillers and activities like exercise do not help reduce your headaches or if it's not clear what's causing them.

Preventing tension headaches

An antidepressant medicine called amitriptyline is sometimes recommended to help prevent tension headaches.

You'll be prescribed a low-dose to start with, which may be increased later. You usually need to take the medicine for several months before it starts working.

Last Reviewed
08 August 2025

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Lovely little pharmacy ( looking forward to seeing the end result of recent work they’ve been having done).

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Now with 24/7 dispensing medication service

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The best little pharmacy in the area! Run by some very lovely people who are very kind and understanding, and always ready to give you a little bit of sympathy if you're under the weather, as well as recommend things for you to help you feel better!

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Absolutely brilliant place always willing to make time to talk and assist in any way they can.

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They all ways ggo that extra mile to help there customers

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If you're looking for a pharmacy that truly cares about its customers, look no further than North Camp Pharmacy. I have been a loyal customer for 10 years now, and I am continually impressed by the level of service and care that the staff provides.

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Attended for flu and covid vaccinations. Very impressed with smart pharmacy. Efficient delivery of vaccinations 100% on time, no waiting. Excellent

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I've been here for a couple of times and the customer service I always received was top- notch.

Green Tree

I have been getting my prescriptions from North camp pharmacy for about 3 months.

Teresa and Jorga are very helpful & cheerful always Treating me with dignity and respect.

The pharmacy is very professional & clean.

Teresa took time to ask me if my medication is working,she was very interested in my welfare,my life has improved so much since I take my meds

Thank you North camp for your

Support

Kindest regards Al

Sue Levett

Prescriptions ready very quickly. I use the PS24 collection box.such a good idea!

Anna Berry-Martin

Everyone in this pharmacy are so professional and caring. Always so helpful and available to give advice if needed. Feel very lucky we have North Camp pharmacy in our area.

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YOU ARE ARE LIFE LINE THANK YOU

NORTH CAMP PHARMACY

GEORGE CATO

Terence Davison

I have always found the staff here, from the pharmacists down to young trainees on the tills, to be pleasant and patient. I like getting a txt to tell me when my scripts are ready for pick up.

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I don’t often write reviews but wanted to share my experience of this pharmacy having read the mixture of reviews on Google.

I have been using their services regularly for over 10 years now and cannot fault them.

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I visited the pharmacy today with a friend who was collecting their prescription. The service was wonderful, the lady behind the counter was very friendly and helpful and the medication was ready when they said it would be.

Hayley Cooper

They helped me when I was in need today. Would have had to wait 24 hours for some medication I’d run out of but I wasn’t coping well without it and the kind lady behind the counter turned it around for me in 15 mins despite them being incredibly busy. I am so grateful.

Aidan O'Keeffe

Dropped in here due to all the issues with Lloyds in Ash. I also gave up waiting at Boots at Farnborough Gate before trying here... The North Camp Pharmacy was small, but quiet and had everything we needed. Service with a smile too.

Julian Chapman

Hard working and really make an effort,

Just been in again and as usual are working really hard, they are sooo busy, they do a great job thank you

Phoned this morning and lady was very helpful. Popped in and again great service thank you

Clare Martin

Kind and helpful and very efficient at obtaining information and prescription for GP and leading on the liaison with said GP regarding lifelong repeat prescription and payment exemption.

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I’ve been to many pharmacies in and around this area and I have to say this is one of a kind. Very modern and aesthetically pleasing can’t wait to see the finished refit, it’s safe to say you’ll be seeing me more often :)