These headaches can actually come from different places in your head that have pain structures that are very sensitive. Some of these structures are located in the back portion of your head, called the dura mater. There are branches from some of your nerves and also large blood vessels located here that can be associated with tension headaches. The headaches you experience are caused from compression, displacement, or swelling of these structures. Sometimes the pain can come from different structures located on or around your head as well, such as your scalp, neck, or muscles around your eyes.
Most people describe tension headaches as a pressure or tightness around the neck and head.
The headache is usually located on both sides of the head and is described as mild to moderate pain. The headache can last anywhere from 30 minutes to serveral days. These headaches are not made worse with physical activity and normally do not interupt sleep patterns. Tension headaches are different then migraine headaches in several ways. Most migraines are located on just one side of the head and the pain is described as moderate to severe.