Spinal Research Foundation

This paper discusses the defi nition of a common, but incompletely understood syndrome associated with soft tissue pain, referred to as myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). It begins with a description of the syndrome and its frequently associated fi nding, the myofascial trigger point (MTrP). The paper describes current published data about biochemical, mechanical, and physical properties of the MTrPs and the surrounding tissue. There are no proven models explaining the cause of MPS or MTrPs, and the pathophysiology of both is conjectural at this point. Therefore, the majority of the discussion will center around descriptions of the syndrome, hypotheses, and data supporting the etiology based on existing literature and approaches toward treatment of MTrPs and symptom control of myofascial pain.