Table 2 ICHD-3 diagnostic criteria for the tension-type headache

Infrequent episodic tension-type headache with/without pericranial tenderness on manual palpation

A. At least 10 episodes of headache occurring on < 1 day/month on average (< 12 days/year) and fulfilling criteria B-D

B. Lasting from 30 min to 7 days

C. At least two of the following four characteristics:

 1. bilateral location

 2. pressing or tightening (non-pulsating) quality

 3. mild or moderate intensity

 4. not aggravated by routine physical activity such as walking or climbing stairs

D. Both of the following:

 1. no nausea or vomiting

 2. no more than one of photophobia or phonophobia

E. Not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis

Frequent episodic tension-type headache

A. At least 10 episodes of headache occurring on 1–14 days/month on average for > 3 months (≥ 12 and < 180 days/year) and fulfilling criteria B-D

B. Lasting from 30 min to 7 days

C. At least two of the following four characteristics:

 1. bilateral location

 2. pressing or tightening (non-pulsating) quality

 3. mild or moderate intensity

 4. not aggravated by routine physical activity such as walking or climbing stairs

D. Both of the following:

 1. no nausea or vomiting

 2. no more than one of photophobia or phonophobia

E. Not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis

Chronic tension-type headache

A. Headache occurring on ≥ 15 days/month on average for > 3 months (≥ 180 days/year), fulfilling criteria B-D

B. Lasting hours to days, or unremitting

C. At least two of the following four characteristics:

 1. bilateral location

 2. pressing or tightening (non-pulsating) quality

 3. mild or moderate intensity

 4. not aggravated by routine physical activity such as walking or climbing stairs

D. Both of the following:

 1. no more than one of photophobia, phonophobia or mild nausea

 2. neither moderate nor severe nausea nor vomiting

E. Not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis