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Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

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Chronic Pain Management in General and Hospital Practice

Abstract

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) and fibromyalgia (FM) are clinical entities that involve the musculoskeletal system producing significant pain and suffering. When combined, they account for one of the most common causes of pain-related consults for primary care, rheumatologists, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and pain medicine physicians [Segura-Pérez et al., J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 40:397–403, 2017]. The term myofascial pain is very broad and is usually applicable to any pain originating in the soft tissue. Approximately 44 million Americans suffer from chronic musculoskeletal pain [Bennett, Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 21:427–441, 2007]. MPS is characterized by the presence of local trigger points in regional anatomical areas involving the muscles of the head, neck, back, or extremities and is frequently associated with conditions like tension headache, temporomandibular joint pain, and uropelvic pain. In contrast to MPS, FM is mostly considered a widespread, chronically painful musculoskeletal condition, characterized by multiple co-existing tender points associated with systemic symptoms such as fatigue, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and cognitive disturbances among others. Both conditions are primarily diagnosed clinically, and the approach to their treatment should be educational, supportive, and symptom-guided. Best outcomes are seen when patients are treated by a multi-disciplinary team of health care providers focusing on restoring a functionally productive life, with improved quality.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Anesthesia and Pain Management, Cook County Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA

    Maria M. Cristancho & Gunar B. Subieta

  2. Pain Management Department, Cook County Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA

    Maria L. Torres

Authors
  1. Maria M. Cristancho
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  2. Gunar B. Subieta
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  3. Maria L. Torres
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maria L. Torres .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Pain Control Institute, Shinjyuku, Tokyo, Japan

    Koki Shimoji

  2. Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Antoun Nader

  3. Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, Pain Management Centre, London, UK

    Wolfgang Hamann

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Cristancho, M.M., Subieta, G.B., Torres, M.L. (2021). Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. In: Shimoji, K., Nader, A., Hamann, W. (eds) Chronic Pain Management in General and Hospital Practice. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2933-7_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2933-7_21

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-15-2932-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-15-2933-7

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