Tension headaches: a challenge to the family physician.

Tension headache is a frequently encountered symptom. The skills of the family physician make him or her ideally suited to assess and manage the patient with this problem. Diagnosis depends on a thorough understanding of the nature and 'life-history' of the headache as well as knowledge of the patient as an individual and as part of his or her family and social environment. Management requires a holistic ongoing approach, employing a judicious combination of medication and physical therapy. Above all, the physician must help the patient develop different ways of dealing with anxiety and conflict.