Pressure Pain Threshold and Pain Tolerance in Episodic Tension-Type Headache Do Not Depend on the Presence of Headache

Cephalalgia ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 174-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Bove ◽  
N Nilsson
Keyword(s):  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Pressure Pain Threshold ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Tension Type Headache ◽  
Pain Tolerance ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Pressure Pain ◽  
Pressure Pain Thresholds ◽  
Type Headache ◽  
Tension Type Headaches

Pressure pain thresholds and responses to painful mechanical stimuli were obtained from 20 subjects with episodic tension-type headaches (TTH). Tender points in the temporalis and trapezius muscles were studied, along with two nontender points, one in the temporalis and one on the Achilles tendon. Two examinations were performed, one during and one without a headache, and results were compared. No significant differences were found in either variable for any tested points. The data demonstrate that the sensitivity level of these points does not differ based on the presence or absence of TTH. This suggests that the muscle sensitivity in TTH is constant. The observation that the sensitivity levels of both tender and nontender points did not vary suggests that the underlying mechanism or effect of TTH is not restricted to tender muscles.

scholarly journals MUSCULAR PRESSURE PAIN THRESHOLD AND INFLUENCE OF CRANIOCERVICAL POSTURE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH EPISODIC TENSION-TYPE HEADACHE

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Elisa Zuliani Stroppa-Marques ◽  
João Simão de Melo-Neto ◽  
Sâmela Parente do Valle ◽  
Cristiane Rodrigues Pedroni
Keyword(s):  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Randomized Study ◽  
Pressure Pain Threshold ◽  
Tension Type Headache ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Lower Sensitivity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pressure Pain ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Type Headache

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), suboccipital (SO) and upper trapezius (UT) muscles and the craniocervical posture in individuals with episodic tension-type headache (ETTH). Methods: This study was a cross-sectional, non-randomized study with 60 young adults (77% female) comprising both sexes and an age range of 18-27 years. Individuals were distributed into a control group (G1) and individuals with ETTH (G2). The frequency of headaches per month was recorded. A pressure dynamometer was used to evaluate the PPT. Photogrammetry was used to evaluate the cervical lordosis (CL) and cephalic protrusion (CP). The data were statistically analyzed. Results: There were differences in the PPT, where the UT, SO and SCM muscles presented lower sensitivity to pain, respectively. The SCM muscle presented a lower PPT in G2. The CL and CP angles were significantly lower in G2. Conclusion: Individuals with ETTH exhibited a significantly lower PPT in the SCM and SO muscles than in the UT muscle. Nevertheless, individuals with ETTH presented with the SCM muscle being more sensitive to pain as well as higher CL and CP than individuals without symptomatology.

Increased Prevalence of Tension-Type Headache Over a 12-Year Period is Related to Increased Pain Sensitivity. A Population Study

Cephalalgia ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Buchgreitz ◽  
AC Lyngberg ◽  
L Bendtsen ◽  
R Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Population Study ◽  
Central Sensitization ◽  
Pain Sensitivity ◽  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Pressure Pain Threshold ◽  
Tension Type Headache ◽  
Danish Population ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pressure Pain ◽  
Type Headache

We recently reported an increase in prevalence and frequency of tension-type headache (TTH) over a 12-year period in the young Danish population. The aim of the present study was to analyse whether this increase was related to increased pain sensitivity. The study was a cross-sectional replicate of a large Danish population study. It compared 113 subjects aged 25-36 years in 2001, with 221 comparable subjects in 1989. Tenderness was considerably higher in 2001 than in 1989. When stratified according to presence of headache, the increase in tenderness was clinically and statistically significant only in women with frequent TTH. The pressure pain threshold was significantly lower in 2001 compared with 1989 in women with frequent TTH. The increase in tenderness in the population may predict an even higher prevalence of TTH in future. The changes support the hypothesis of central sensitization in TTH.

Musculoskeletal physical outcome measures in individuals with tension-type headache: A scoping review

Cephalalgia ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (16) ◽  
pp. 1319-1336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Abboud ◽  
Andrée-Anne Marchand ◽  
Karin Sorra ◽  
Martin Descarreaux
Keyword(s):  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Pressure Pain Threshold ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Tension Type Headache ◽  
Forward Head Posture ◽  
Pressure Pain ◽  
Head Posture ◽  
Headache Pain ◽  
Physiological Outcomes ◽  
Type Headache

Introduction Individuals with tension-type headache (TTH), in addition to headache pain, typically suffer from pericranial muscle tenderness and increased cervical muscle tone. Physical and physiological outcomes related to musculoskeletal function, however, are not commonly assessed in clinical studies and not systematically proposed as outcome measures in headache-related practice guidelines. Objectives To review which musculoskeletal outcomes are used in the clinical assessment of patients with TTH and which are associated with headache pain and related dysfunction. Methods: Literature searches were performed in MEDLINE, PubMed, the Cochrane databases and EMBASE using terms relating to musculoskeletal physical outcomes in TTH. Results Twenty-six studies met selection criteria. Physiological outcomes typically reported in laboratory studies were trigger points, pressure pain threshold, range of motion and tenderness. A greater number of trigger points and lower pressure pain threshold were reported in patients with episodic TTH in comparison with healthy subjects. Individuals with chronic TTH, when compared with non-headache controls, consistently showed a greater number of trigger points, a lower value of pressure pain threshold and a more severe forward head posture. Conclusion Musculoskeletal outcomes, such as trigger points, pressure pain threshold and forward head posture should inform TTH pathophysiology, diagnosis and interdisciplinary patient care.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document