Biobehavioral analysis of tension headaches: an interactional hypothesis

Muscle tension headaches are considered from an interactional perspective. Reviewing patient reports indicates the symptoms as appearing in stressful contexts. Increased muscle tension is often a concomitant response of the body to stressful situations. The problem has been to understand the specific pathological response of certain muscle groups of the head, neck, shoulders and upper back. Interpersonal behavior, when regarded for properties of social signaling, resolves the problem. Interrupted or frustrated sequences of behavior can then be seen to lead to the dysponetic activity which is labeled tension headache. A specific sequence, that of the eyebrow flash of recognition, is used to illustrate the origin of a frontalis headache. This model implies a need for a psychological component in treatment of chronic tension headaches, and may be extended to related psychogenic disorders.