Symptoms
Tension headache
A bilateral or unilateral 'band-like' headache that often originates from trigger points in the neck and shoulder muscles.
Overview
Tension-type headache is the most common primary headache. A large portion of cases has identifiable myofascial trigger points whose referred pain reproduces the patient's headache when palpated. Identifying and treating those muscles often produces meaningful relief alongside lifestyle and stress interventions.
Clinical notes
Reproducible reproduction of the headache by palpation of one or more cervical trigger points strongly supports a myofascial component. Combine with sleep, hydration and stress assessment.
Red flags — when to refer
Sudden 'thunderclap' onset, new headache after 50, neurological deficits, fever, weight loss, headache worsening with Valsalva or wakening from sleep — refer for medical evaluation.
Muscles often involved
References
- • Fernández-de-las-Peñas et al. — Myofascial trigger points and headache