What is the difference between fibromyalgia and myofascial pain

Many of the treatments for myofascial pain syndrome are focused on the trigger points. These treatment options include:. Researchers are investigating the effectiveness of anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and botulinum toxin type A Botox. Physician anesthesiologists are committed to patient safety and high-quality care, and have the necessary knowledge to understand and treat the entire human body.

Skip to content. Myofascial Pain Syndrome Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic condition that causes pain in the musculoskeletal system. What are the symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome?

The primary symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome are: Localized muscle pain Trigger points that activate the pain Infrequent but potential symptoms include: Muscle stiffness Fatigue Poor sleep Headaches Postural abnormalities such as hunching, shoulder rounding, or forward head posture not aligned with spine How is myofascial pain syndrome diagnosed?

ANSWER: Both of the conditions you mention are chronic pain disorders, meaning they cause pain that lasts for long periods of time and can be difficult to manage. Myofascial pain syndrome involves mainly muscular pain; whereas, fibromyalgia includes more widespread body pain, along with other symptoms, such as headaches , bowel problems, fatigue and mood changes. In people with myofascial pain syndrome, sensitive areas of tight fibers form within a muscle or an adjoining muscle group, typically due to muscular injury or overuse.

As a result, a tender, painful knot develops in the muscle. When pressure is placed on that area, called a tender point or trigger point, it leads to deep, aching muscle pain. It affects both sides of the body — above and below the waist. Furthermore, the pain may move — a process called migratory phenomenon — from one part of the body to another over time.

The discomfort of fibromyalgia usually is felt as both joint and muscle aches and pain, without any redness or swelling caused by inflammation. Introduction Musculoskeletal system is the largest organ system by weight in the human body comprising of more than skeletal muscles 1.

Open in a separate window. Mechanism of contraction of skeletal muscle: Each skeletal muscle comprises of bundle of fasicles and each fascicle is composed of about muscle fibres. Fig 1. Factors generating trigger points: No single factor can be held responsible for the production of TPs.

Trauma to:-musculoskeletal system, -intervertebral discs 2. Inflammatory conditions e. Myocardial ischemia, 4. Excessive or lack of exercise and malpositions 5. Generalized fatigue, lack of sleep and emotional stress.

Hormonal changes as in post menopausal syndrome. Nutritional deficiencies. Intense cooling of body areas … as sleeping in front of A. Obesity 10 Identification of TPS: Pain diagrams depicting TPs on human body 13 and some other criteria as essential and confirmatory 14 have been laid down to identify TPs. Laboratory Tests: The pathogenesis of FMS is unknown and there is no single precise test for its diagnosis.

Pharmacological therapies: Non pharmacological approaches may be common to both conditions but pharmacological managements of MPS and FMS differ. Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia shares common underlying neurobiological mechanisms along with physical, cognitive and behavioral co-morbidities. Non pharmacological therapies for MPS and FMS: Due to lack of definitive etiological elucidation and treatment of FMS many alternative approaches have been advocated by pain therapists.

The popular approaches have been mentioned below: i Choosing correct chair, mattress, and posture to sit or sleep.

References 1. Robert B Salter. Textbook of disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; Normal structure and function of musculoskeletal tissues; p. Victoria Wapf, Andre Busato. Main health related problems patients attended their physicians for. BMC complementary and alternative medicine. Chiropractic management of fibromyalgia syndrome, a systematic review of the literature.

J Manipulative Physiol Ther. Dynamic levels of glutamate within the insula are associated with improvements in multiple pain domains in fibromyalgia. Arthritis Rheum. Cummings M, Baldry P. Regional myofascial pain: diagnosis and management. Hans SC, Harrison P. Myofascial pain syndrome and trigger point management. Reg Anesth. Leesa P Huquenin. Myofascial trigger point: the current evidence.

Physical Therapy in Sport. Effects of 2 physiotherapy programs on pain perception, muscular flexibility, and illness impact in women with fibromyalgia: a pilot study. The effect of Roux-en-Y bypass on fibromyalgia. Obes Surg. Impact of tobacco use in patients presenting to a multidisciplinary outpatient treatment program for fibromyalgia. Clin J Pain. Peggy A Houglum.

Therapeutic Exercise for Musculoskeletal Injuries. Human Kinetics; Myofascial Trigger Points; p. Rachlin ES. St Louis, Mosby- Yearbook: History and physical examination for regional myofascial pain syndrome; p. Trigger Point Manual.

Circulating cytokine levels compared to pain in patients with fibromyalgia. High plasma levels of MCP-1 and eotaxin provide evidence for an immunological basis of fibromyalgia. Exp Biol Med. Sex specific prenatal programming: a risk for fibromyalgia? Ann N Y Acad Sci. Hong CZ. J Mus Pain.

Richard, Weiner S, editors. Pain Management. CRC Press;