College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

Which symptom is NOT typically associated with tension headaches?

1. Nausea

2. Visual disturbances

3. Sensitivity to light

4. Muscle tightness

The correct answer is: Visual disturbances

Tension headaches, which are often characterized by a dull, aching pain and a sensation of tightness or pressure around the forehead or back of the head and neck, typically include several common symptoms. Among these, muscle tightness is a hallmark feature since tension headaches are often linked to muscle tension and stress. Another common symptom is sensitivity to light, which may occur due to discomfort but is considered more prominent in migraine headaches rather than tension headaches. While nausea can sometimes accompany headaches in general, it is not commonly associated with tension headaches specifically. In contrast, visual disturbances are generally not a symptom of tension headaches. They are more typically linked to migraines or other types of headaches that have a neurological component. As such, the absence of visual disturbances in tension headaches makes this symptom stand out as not being typically associated with the condition.