title: Regional myofascial pain syndromes.
abstract: MPS are regional pain syndromes characterized by a tender trigger point in muscle (sometimes with an accompanying palpable abnormality in consistency) producing pain in a characteristic reference zone. There is abundant evidence supporting MPS as an important cause of regional musculoskeletal pain, and a small but growing body of quantitative clinical and experimental data. The pathogenesis is unknown, but probably involves both a peripheral (muscle) and central (spinal cord) mechanism. Several modes of therapy have been proposed as effective. MPS may be related to fibrositis, but conclusive evidence is lacking.
authors.affiliation: Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Portland Veterans Administration Medical Center, Oregon.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology