Pathophysiology of Trigger Points in Myofascial Pain Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Questions from patients about pain conditions and analgesic pharmacotherapy and responses from authors are presented to help educate patients and make them more effective self-advocates. Trigger point pathophysiology in myofascial pain syndrome, which involves muscle stiffness, tenderness, and pain that radiates to other areas of the body, is considered. The causes of trigger points and several theories about how they develop are reviewed, and treatment approaches, including stretching, physical therapy, dry needling, and injections, are offered.

KEYWORDS:

• muscle stiffness
• myofascial pain syndrome
• referred pain
• trigger point pathophysiology
• trigger points
• workplace

Declaration of interest

The author reports no conflicts of interest. The author alone is responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sarah Money

Sarah Money, MD, is a pain medicine fellow, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, USA.