Diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome.
Myofascial pain is one of the most common causes of pain. The diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is made by muscle palpation. The source of the pain in MPS is the myofascial trigger point, a very localized region of tender, contracted muscle that is readily identified by palpation. The trigger point has well-described electrophysiologic properties and is associated with a derangement of the local biochemical milieu of the muscle. A proper diagnosis of MPS includes evaluation of muscle as a cause of pain, and assessment of associated conditions that have an impact on MPS.
Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Pain and Rehabilitation Medicine, 4405 East-West Highway, Suite 502, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. Electronic address: gerwin@painpoints.com.
Robert D
RD
Gerwin
D015897:Comorbidity; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010173:Palpation / Q000379:methods*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D061028:Trigger Points; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods
Active trigger points; Diagnosis; Latent trigger points; Muscle; Myofascial pain; Referred pain; Trigger points