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tension-type headache
Also known as: tension-type headaches, tension headaches, tension headache
Facts (22)
Sources
Stress, Lifestyle, and Health – Psychology 2e OpenStax pressbooks.cuny.edu 9 facts
claimBiofeedback has been applied successfully to treat individuals experiencing tension headaches, high blood pressure, asthma, and phobias.
claimStress may contribute to tension headaches by increasing pain sensitivity in already-sensitive pain pathways in tension headache sufferers, according to Cathcart, Petkov, & Pritchard (2008).
claimTension headache sufferers have a lower threshold for and greater sensitivity to pain compared to non-sufferers, according to Ukestad & Wittrock (1996).
referencePsychophysiological disorders include cardiovascular conditions (hypertension, coronary heart disease), gastrointestinal conditions (irritable bowel syndrome), respiratory conditions (asthma, allergy), musculoskeletal conditions (low back pain, tension headaches), and skin conditions (acne, eczema, psoriasis).
claimTension headaches are caused by factors including sleep deprivation, skipping meals, eye strain, overexertion, muscular tension from poor posture, and stress, according to MedicineNet (2013).
measurementTension headaches are triggered by the tightening or tensing of facial and neck muscles and account for approximately 42% of all headaches worldwide (Stovner et al., 2007).
measurementIn the United States, over one-third of the population experiences tension headaches each year, and 2–3% of the population suffers from chronic tension headaches (Schwartz, Stewart, Simon, & Lipton, 1998).
claimCardiovascular disorders, asthma, and tension headaches are known to be influenced by stress and negative emotions such as anger, negative affectivity, and depression.
claimTension headache sufferers report higher levels of subjective stress when encountering a stressor compared to non-sufferers, according to Myers, Wittrock, & Foreman (1998).
Stress, Lifestyle, and Health – Introduction to Psychology open.maricopa.edu 9 facts
claimFactors contributing to tension headaches include sleep deprivation, skipping meals, eye strain, overexertion, muscular tension caused by poor posture, and stress, according to MedicineNet (2013).
claimTension headaches are caused by the tightening or tensing of facial and neck muscles.
measurementIn the United States, over one-third of the population experiences tension headaches annually, and 2–3% of the population suffers from chronic tension headaches, according to Schwartz et al. (1998).
claimTension headache sufferers report higher levels of subjective stress when faced with a stressor compared to non-sufferers, according to Myers et al. (1998).
measurementTension headaches account for approximately 42% of all headaches worldwide, according to Stovner et al. (2007).
claimStress may contribute to tension headaches by increasing pain sensitivity in already-sensitive pain pathways in tension headache sufferers, according to Cathcart et al. (2008).
referencePsychophysiological disorders are categorized into cardiovascular (hypertension, coronary heart disease), gastrointestinal (irritable bowel syndrome), respiratory (asthma, allergy), musculoskeletal (low back pain, tension headaches), and skin (acne, eczema, psoriasis) types, as adapted from Everly & Lating (2002).
claimTension headache sufferers have a lower threshold for and greater sensitivity to pain compared to non-sufferers, according to Ukestad & Wittrock (1996).
claimBiofeedback has been applied successfully to treat individuals experiencing tension headaches, high blood pressure, asthma, and phobias, according to Stein (2001).
Sleep Deprivation: Symptoms, Causes, Effects, and Treatment sleepfoundation.org Sep 10, 2025 3 facts
referenceC. Fernández-de-Las-Peñas et al. (2017) studied sleep disturbances in patients with tension-type headaches and migraines.
claimWhile headaches are not typically considered a common effect of chronic sleep deprivation, some studies have found that sleep deprivation can trigger migraines and tension headaches in individuals prone to them.
claimSleep disturbances are associated with tension-type headaches and migraines, as reported in a 2017 study by Fernández-de-Las-Peñas et al.
Stress: Its Negative Impact on Your Mental & Physical Health cwcare.net Jun 7, 2023 1 fact
claimLong-term muscle tension caused by stress can lead to tension-type headaches, migraines, and general body aches and pains, which are common in women.