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Headaches don't always have an obvious cause. While over-the-counter painkillers may not always work, sometimes something as simple as a glass of water can help alleviate the pain. Prevention offers a solution for a particular kind of headache that takes only 10 seconds—no need for special drugs or gadgets.
If you're feeling pain in your head and neck, it could be a tension headache. This type of headache often occurs when you unknowingly tighten your jaw muscles during stress. This tension spreads, causing the muscles in your head and neck to stiffen, leading to that painful, tight sensation.
Luckily, there's a simple way to treat tension headaches that's easier than taking an Advil. David Reavy, a physical therapist who works with top athletes in the NFL and NBA, shared a technique with Prevention writer Christine Mattheis called the masseter release. To do this, find the masseter muscle—the strong tissue connecting your jawbone to your cheekbone—on both sides of your face. Gently press on these spots, open your mouth as wide as you can, close it, and repeat until the muscle relaxes. Doing this a few times a day can help relieve tension caused by jaw clenching.
If that doesn't provide relief, it could mean the masseter muscle isn't causing your headache. In this case, take a look at the various popular pain killers to figure out which one works best for your specific type of pain.
