2.2.2 Frequent episodic tension-type headache not associated with pericranial tenderness

A 63-year-old retired postman describes a long-standing pattern of headache attacks, present in its current form for roughly four months, occurring on around 175 days in the last year, close to 9 days a typical month, with at least 14 such episodes recalled over his lifetime. He says the pain is spread evenly across both sides of his head, gripping and tight rather than throbbing, lasting from about thirty minutes to as long as a week when untreated. He does not experience light sensitivity or noise sensitivity with these attacks, and there has been no nausea and no vomiting on any occasion. He reports that his scalp and neck muscles feel entirely comfortable, without tenderness, when pressed.