Myofascial pain syndromes from trigger points

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common cause of acute and chronic pain that can complicate other medical illnesses and injuries. It is both defined by and diagnosed by the presence of the myofascial trigger point. Current studies indicate that the trigger point is a dysfunctional motor end plate whose abnormal activity is modulated in some way by the sympathetic nervous system. Pain syndromes arise from trigger points as causes of local pain and of referred pain. Referred pain from a few or from many muscle trigger points produces regional or generalized pain. Treatment requires the elimination of the trigger point by manual therapy or by trigger point injection and correction of the mechanical and medical factors that initiate and perpetuate it.