Muscle Contraction Headache Type/Acute Tension Headache TypeMuscle Contraction Headache Type/Acute Tension Headache Type

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.