An active implantable medical device (AIMD) assembly has a medical device housing containing an electrical power source connected to control circuitry, and a header assembly connected to the device housing. The header assembly supports a plurality of co-axially aligned terminal blocks that are in open communication with a header opening. A conventional strain relief member is connected to the header assembly at the header opening. A number of different auxiliary strain relief devices are described. The auxiliary strain relief devices connect to the conventional strain relief member to help reduce tension and stress on a lead after the AIMD assembly is implanted in a body and the lead electrodes are connected to body tissue.