Pressure pain threshold and pain tolerance in episodic tension-type headache do not depend on the presence of headache

Pressure pain thresholds and responses to painful mechanical stimuli were o btained from 20 subjects with episodic tension-type headaches (TTH). Tender points in the temporalis and trapezius muscles were studied, along with tw o nontender points, one in the temporalis and one on the Achilles tendon. T wo examinations were performed, one during and one without a headache, and results were compared. No significant differences were found in either vari able 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. T his suggests that the muscle sensitivity in TTH is constant. The observatio n that the sensitivity levels of both tender and nontender points did not v ary suggests that the underlying mechanism or effect of TTH is not restrict ed to tender muscles.