Free NHS Minor Ailments Scheme

Headache & Mild Pain

Headaches, dental pain, period pain and muscle aches are among the everyday problems our pharmacists treat through the free NHS minor ailments scheme — no GP appointment needed.

Check eligibility & get treated →
Pharmacist consultation at Lyng Pharmacy

How we treat it

Speak to our pharmacist in the private consultation room. We will check what type of pain you are dealing with, review anything else you take, and where appropriate supply pain relief free of charge under the local NHS minor ailments scheme — or recommend the best over-the-counter option.

Who's eligible?

Free NHS treatment is available if you are registered with a participating local GP and do not pay for prescriptions; everyone else can still get expert advice and low-cost treatment. Use our one-minute eligibility checker and our pharmacist will be in touch to arrange your consultation — or just walk in.

Get help today instead if you have:Call us on 0121 500 5756, your GP, or NHS 111. In an emergency call 999.
Start eligibility check →
Understanding Headache & Mild Pain

Headache & Mild Pain, explained

What it is, what to look out for, and what actually helps — from the pharmacists who deal with it every day.

About headache and mild pain

Most headaches are tension-type: a dull, tight band-like ache across the forehead or around the head, often building through the day. They are driven by everyday things — poor sleep, skipped meals, dehydration, screen posture, stress and, ironically, painkillers taken too often. Migraine is different: usually one-sided, throbbing, worse with movement, and often with nausea or light sensitivity.

Mild pain elsewhere — period pain, dental pain while you wait for a dentist, a pulled muscle — responds to the same short-term approach. What matters is choosing the right painkiller for you, at the right dose, and not taking it for so long that it becomes the problem itself. That last point catches a lot of people out, and it is the main reason a two-minute conversation with a pharmacist is worth having.

Come and see us if you have:

  • 1
    A dull, tight or pressing ache across the forehead, temples or back of the head
  • 2
    Pain that builds through the day and eases with rest, food or fluids
  • 3
    Neck and shoulder tightness alongside the headache
  • 4
    Throbbing one-sided pain with nausea or light sensitivity, suggesting migraine
  • 5
    Period, dental or muscle pain that is mild to moderate and short-lived
What causes most headaches?
Everyday triggers rather than anything sinister: not drinking enough, missing meals, poor or broken sleep, stress, eye strain and neck tension from screens or driving. Alcohol, caffeine withdrawal and hormonal changes are common culprits too. Keeping a short note of when headaches hit often reveals the pattern faster than anything else.
Which painkiller should I take?
Paracetamol is the usual first choice and is gentle on the stomach. Ibuprofen often works better for period pain, dental pain and muscle injuries because it tackles inflammation, but it does not suit everyone — particularly with stomach ulcers, asthma, kidney problems, or alongside some blood pressure and blood-thinning medicines. Ask us to match one to you and your medicines list.
Can painkillers themselves cause headaches?
Yes, and it is more common than people realise. Taking painkillers for headache on more days than not — especially those containing codeine or caffeine — can lead to medication-overuse headache, where the treatment sustains the problem. If you are reaching for tablets most days, come and talk to us rather than increasing the dose.
How can I prevent headaches without tablets?
Drink water steadily through the day, eat regularly, keep a consistent sleep pattern, take screen breaks, and loosen the neck and shoulders. Fresh air and a short walk help more than most people expect. If you grind your teeth or wake with jaw ache, that is worth mentioning too.
When is a headache an emergency?
Call 999 for a sudden severe headache that peaks within seconds or minutes, or a headache with a stiff neck, rash, fever, confusion, weakness, slurred speech or vision loss. Seek same-day advice for a headache following a head injury, or one that is consistently worse when you cough, bend forward or lie flat.
0121 500 5756