- Tension-type headache reflects a multifactorial condition, with interacting musculoskeletal, central, psychosocial, and lifestyle domains shaping symptom severity and chronicity
- The condition exists on a continuum, with episodic forms linked more to peripheral nociceptive input and chronic forms associated with central sensitization and impaired pain modulation
- Musculoskeletal dysfunction (eg, myofascial trigger points, cervical muscle impairment) and psychosocial factors (eg, stress, anxiety) are associated with headache burden but are not independently causal
- The proposed model suggests patients may be categorized by dominant mechanistic profiles (peripheral, central, psychosocial, or mixed), potentially informing individualized treatment strategies
- Clinical application remains unproven, as the review lacks a formal systematic protocol, quantitative synthesis, and high-quality longitudinal evidence needed to establish causality or validate the framework
Daily News
Stay up to date with the latest clinical headlines and other information tailored to your specialty.
