title: Myofascial trigger points. What physicians should know about these neurological imitators.
abstract: Myofascial trigger points (MFTPs) are a common cause of chronic neck and back pain.They also can cause a wide spectrum of associated symptoms.This review focuses on neurological symptoms--headache, dizziness, and sensory disturbances--that are frequently caused by musculoskeletal MFTPs. The discussion considers the diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment of MFTPs as well as the proposed mechanisms that generate the neurological symptoms. Physicians should consider these neurological imitators in patients who have such symptoms with no apparent cause.
authors.affiliation: Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology, USA.
authors.forename: Jack E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hubbard
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008910:Minnesota; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010348:Patient Care Team