Is it different from fibromyalgia?
Myofascial pain is resulting from abnormal stress on the muscles.
It is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles).
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This pain syndrome can be confused withfibromyalgiaand may also accompany it.
Grinding of the teeth and jaw clenching are related to myofascial pain and can lead to headaches.
Actually, this pain can affect any skeletal muscle in the body.
It is not limited to the muscles of mastication (chewing).
X-rays are not helpful in diagnosing myofascial pain.
Onset of myofascial pain can be acute following injury or chronic following poor posture or overuse of the muscles.
This is a common condition.
Interestingly, even if untreated, most myofascial pain syndrome patients stop having symptoms in 2 or 3 years.
This pain leads to problems with sleeping as well asheadacheand fatigue.
Great debate exists concerning whether myofascial pain is either a separate disease entity from fibromyalgia or asubtype of fibromyalgia.
One specific difference between these two conditions is the presence of trigger points.
Of note, these trigger points are sometimes also caused “jump points.”
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Chandola HC, Chakraborty A.Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome-a dilemma.Indian J Anaesth.
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