It feels like a vise is squeezing you temples, causing a dull ache on both sides of our head. It's a tension headache, the most common form of headache. Tension headaches are the result of tension in head and neck muscles. They can have a variety of triggers, including stress, depression, and lack of sleep. Certain postures also can trigger these headaches. These include holding a telephone between the ear and shoulder or keeping your neck bent downward while reading. Some medication can cause headaches with similar dull pain. These include drugs used to treat high blood pressure, Parkinson's disease, and ulcers. If you think this might be your problem, check with you doctor. Adjusting the dosage or trying a different drug may solve the problem. If tension headaches occur daily or almost daily, your doctor can prescribe medications that may cut the severity or frequency of them. Other steps that may help prevent tension headaches: Get enough sleep. Manage stress. Relaxation techniques, including yoga and meditation, may help. Avoid postures that tense neck and head muscles. Exercise regularly. The following measures may relieve tension headaches: Apply a warm compress or an ice pack - whichever feels best - to your head or neck. Take and over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen. Enjoy a hot shower. For a free illustrated brochure, Neck Exercises For a Healthy Neck, with 17 simple exercises to strengthen and relax the neck, call for your copy today while supplies last. Call the Health Referral Service at 799-WELL or toll-free at 1-877-799-WELL.