Muscle Contraction Headache or Acute Tension Headache Type occurs in about
50% of the population on a monthly basis but is usually low impact which is
why it is not seen a lot in primary care. Typically this headache type is
mild to moderate only, non-pulsating and bilateral. Sensory sensitivity to
noise or light is more likely to be associated with migraine. Difficulties
arise when patients who are suffering from migraine are misdiagnosed as
having a tension headache type. They then do not receive appropriate
management. Patients often describe the pain as a "feeling of tightness or
squeezing'. The causes of tension headache type are not known. It is
possible but rare to get a tension headache type without exacerbations -
causing daily or near daily background symptoms. This is part of the Chronic
Daily Headache Syndrome and needs managing as such.