Myofascial Pain Sydrome (MPS)

Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS): Diagnosed pain syndrome that generally includes (1-4):

1. Tenderness at points in firm bands of skeletal muscle
2. Specific patterns of pain referral associated with each point
3. Frequent emotional, postural, and behavioral contributing factors
4. Frequent associated symptoms and concomitant diagnoses
5. MPS is distinct diagnosis, separate from fibromyalgia

Alternatively, MPS has been defined as pain originating from trigger points (3).

• Based on the Brookbush Institute's review of "Muscle Fiber Dysfunction and Trigger Points" it would seem that MPS encompasses all of the observable signs and symptoms associated with muscle fiber dysfunction, that are not fibromyalgia.

1. Fricton, J. R., Kroening, R., Haley, D., & Siegert, R. (1985). Myofascial pain syndrome of the head and neck: a review of clinical characteristics of 164 patients. Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology, 60(6), 615-623.
2. Tough, E. A., White, A. R., Richards, S., & Campbell, J. (2007). Variability of criteria used to diagnose myofascial trigger point pain syndrome—evidence from a review of the literature. The Clinical journal of pain, 23(3), 278-286.
3. Borg-Stein, J., & Simons, D. G. (2002). Myofascial pain. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 83, S40-S47.
4. Harden, R. N., Bruehl, S. P., Gass, S., Niemiec, C., & Barbick, B. (2000). Signs and symptoms of the myofascial pain syndrome: a national survey of pain management providers. The clinical journal of pain, 16(1), 64-72.