Headache and Migraines Forum - Tension Headaches?

I've been a little concerned lately about a "strained" feeling in several different places on my neck, face, and head. It's been going on for a couple months now (i think), although I recall a few months earlier noticing some sore spots on the back of my head that seemed to move around. These spots weren't even noticeable until I gently rubbed a hand over the area. I got a little worried as the strained feeling seemed to get worse. Recently I started getting mild headaches in addition to the strained feeling, and now I get them everyday. This was unfamiliar to me, and I tend to think the worst. Now, after reading up on my symptoms, it sounds like i'm getting tension headaches. The pain seems to get worse when i'm at work. I'm a pizza delivery driver at one job, and I work on a computer for the other. I assume that long hours in a sitting position has started taking its toll on me. My posture hasn't been the best, but i'm trying to correct that now. Staring at a computer screen probably doesn't help either, and I read a lot as well. I also do not get enough sleep. In addition, I do have issues in my personal life that I do stress over quite a bit, but I wouldn't call myself a nervous wreck.

I need to be more specific about the symptoms: the strained feeling started in the area spanning from above my collar bone and next to my adam's apple, up my jaw, to above my ear. This was all on my left side. Eventually, both my trapezii started feeling strained as well, and then up the back of my head on both sides. Lately is has centralized around my left ear. At times, the area around my left ear and the back of my jaw gets a swollen feeling, and my ear may feel a bit stopped up. It usually doesn't stay for long. I know this must be due to pressure. I also may get a "warm" sensation in the same area. I do get random sore spots in this area as well. The dull headaches have become more frequent, except they may be on both sides of my head, or a little behind the eyes and in my cheeks. Some of this may be due to sinus problems, which I have regularly. Usually, I feel better in the morning, and around midday, the symptoms come back.

For the record, I don't have any weird vision problems except for my normal nearsidedness, and I haven't had any dizzy spells or vomiting. I'm in pretty good health. My blood pressure is very slightly above normal, but nothing to be concerned about. In early to mid 2004, I had an mri - with the dye - to see if I had an aneurysm. The results were negative. The reason for the test was because I had started noticing a slight permanent ringing in my ears. I have been playing in a rock band and not always protecting my ears for over 10 years and have attended several loud concerts, so I attribute the ringing to that. As it is, the ringing is only noticeable in very quiet rooms. In any case, I don't think I have a brain tumor or and aneurysm, but the symptoms seem similar to what causes tension headaches. I know these can be done away with over time, but i'm still a little concerned that it might be something more serious. The stress caused by this concern can only be making it worse. I would very much appreciate any and all opinions on what might be ailing me. Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to be specific!

Thanks!