Pain, colds & allergies
Mild headache (tension-type)
That dull, band-like pressure across the forehead is the most common headache there is, and in Ontario a pharmacist can now assess it. At Murray Shore Pharmacy, serving North York since 1983, we take the time to confirm your headache pattern is truly tension-type, rule out warning signs, and help you break the cycle safely.
Common signs
- Pressing or tightening pain on both sides of the head, like a band
- Mild to moderate intensity that does not stop you from daily tasks
- No nausea or vomiting with the headache
- Pain that does not get worse with routine activity like climbing stairs
- Tightness in the neck, scalp, or shoulder muscles
- Episodes lasting from half an hour up to several days
See a doctor instead if
- A sudden, explosive headache that peaks within a minute
- Headache with fever, stiff neck, confusion, weakness, or vision changes
- A new headache pattern after age 50, or after a head injury
- Headaches that wake you from sleep or worsen when lying down
- One-sided throbbing pain with nausea or light sensitivity, which points to migraine rather than tension-type
Any of these sound like you? Call 416-789-1800 and we will point you the right way — or reach Health811 (opens in a new tab) by calling 811.
How the assessment works
We map out your headache history: how often, how long, what it feels like, and what you have already taken. A key part of this assessment is checking for medication-overuse headache, where frequent pain-reliever use quietly keeps the cycle going. If your pattern fits tension-type headache, the pharmacist builds a plan with you, and an appropriate analgesic may be prescribed where needed; anything suggesting migraine or a secondary cause is referred to a physician.
Sources 1, 2Three ways to get started. Do it all from home, or come in.
Start online from your phone, call us, or walk in and ask for the pharmacist. No appointment is needed. When you start online, a pharmacist calls or messages you back to finish the assessment. Prefer email? Write to us.
Frequently asked questions
Plain answers from the pharmacy team. Tap a question to open it.
How do I know it is a tension headache and not a migraine?
Migraine is usually one-sided, throbbing, worse with activity, and often comes with nausea or light sensitivity. Tension-type is a steady pressure on both sides. Sorting this out is exactly what the assessment is for, because the two are managed differently and migraine is referred.
I take something for headaches almost every day. Is that a problem?
It can be. Using pain relievers on many days per month can itself sustain headaches. Bring a list of everything you take, including over-the-counter products, and the pharmacist will review it as part of the assessment.
Is the headache assessment free?
Yes, with a valid OHIP card the assessment costs you nothing. Any product you choose to purchase afterward is separate.
Do I need to book, or can I just come in?
You can walk in to 3537 Bathurst Street during pharmacy hours. If you prefer a set time, call 416-789-1800 and we will hold a spot for you.
What should I track before my visit?
Even a few days of notes helps: when each headache started, how long it lasted, what it felt like, and what you took. A simple diary makes the assessment faster and more accurate.
Is headache assessment part of an official program?
Yes. Tension-type headache is one of the conditions Ontario pharmacists are authorized to assess under the province's minor ailment program. The same rules and OHIP coverage apply at every participating pharmacy, including ours.
What should I bring to the assessment?
Your Ontario health card, a list of every medication and supplement you take, and any headache notes you have kept. If you have had recent physician visits about the headaches, mention those too.
Can seniors be assessed for tension headaches?
Yes, though with extra care. A genuinely new headache pattern after age 50 is one of the signs we refer to a physician rather than treat, so the pharmacist will ask closely about how long your headaches have followed the same pattern.
What happens after the assessment? Is there follow-up?
The pharmacist tells you what improvement to expect and when to check back in. If the headaches are not settling as expected, the plan changes or you are referred; either way, you are not left managing it alone.
Can anything help prevent tension headaches?
Often, yes. Regular sleep, hydration, screen breaks, and attention to neck and shoulder posture all matter, and the pharmacist reviews which habits are most relevant to your pattern.
What if my headaches turn out to be migraines?
Then you leave with a referral and a clear explanation instead of a prescription. Migraine is managed differently and sits outside this program, so identifying it correctly is a valuable outcome of the visit, not a dead end.
Sources & further reading
Numbered references, linked from the sections above.
Your pharmacist is one call away.
416-789-1800 Call nowPrefer not to call? Email info@murrayshore.com or visit us at Bathurst & Baycrest.