Abstract

Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most common type of primary headache disorder. However TTH is an ill-defined and heterogeneous syndrome, which is diagnosed mainly be the absence of features of other headache disorders especially migraine. Despite the high prevalence and impact, knowledge about pathogenesis of TTH is still limited. Peripheral myofascial mechamism and central pain processing mechanism are implicated but their role in pathogenesis of TTH varies with the frequency of headache and among patients. Chronic tension type headache differs from episodic form in frequency, lack of response to treatment, more medication overuse, and more impact on quality of life.