Fibromyalgia & Myofascial Pain Syndrome:

From: Helen Dynda (olddad66@runestone.net)
Mon Nov 26 10:27:47 2001


Fibromyalgia & Myofascial Pain Syndrome:

http://www.telalink.net/~nnpc/page2u.html

1.) FIBROMYALGIA

What Causes or Triggers Fibromyalgia?

The single exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. Many different factors, alone or in combination, may trigger this disorder. For example, a number of stresses such as an illness, physical trauma, emotional trauma, or hormonal changes may precipitate the generalized pain, fatigue, sleep, and mood problems that characterize fibromyalgia (see figure below).

Physical or emotional trauma could precipitate fibromyalgia in a number of ways. For example, a physical trauma such as having an infection or flu could lead to certain hormonal or chemical changes that promote pain and disturb sleep. Also, people with fibromyalgia may become inactive, depressed, and anxious about their health, further aggravating the disorder.

In recent years, studies have shown that in fibromyalgia the muscle is especially vulnerable to decreased circulation and minor injury. Therefore, smoking and inappropriate exercise or poor posture may aggravate fibromyalgia. Research has also looked at the role of certain hormones or body chemicals that may alter pain, sleep, and mood. Eventually, this research should result in a better understanding of fibromyalgia, as well as more effective treatment, and even prevention!

[ NOTE: There is much more to read about FIBROMYALGIA (FMS) at the above website!!!]

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2.) MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME (MPS)

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a distinct diagnosis from fibromyalgia, although the exact differences and the relationship between the two have been subject to controversy Myofascial pain may be defined as a muscular pain disorder involving regional pain referred by trigger points within the myofascial structures local or distant from the pain. One area where MPS differs from fibromyalgia is the regional distribution of the pain, rather than the global diffuse nature of the pain. Pain will usually be restricted to a certain area such as the cervical and upper thoracic area, lumbar area, or craniofacial area. The other key in differentiating MPS from fibromyalgia is the existence of trigger points (distinctly different from tender points found in fibromyalgia). A trigger point can be defined as a focus of hyperirritability in a muscle or its fascia that is always tender, palpably taut, prevents full lengthening of the muscle, weakens the muscle, alters propioception usually refers pain in a characteristic distribution, and sometimes has a local twitch response with palpation. in its simplest form, MPS arises primarily from trigger points. In more complex form, the syndrome may arise due to postural or movement imbalances, which in turn, create abnormal mechanical tensions in the myofascia that may produce trigger points and associated regional pain.

MPS AND FIBROMYALGIA

The question arises: What is the relationship between MPS and fibromyalgia? Are they clinically distinct entities or is MPS merely a lesser form of fibromyalgia? Are the causative factors in MPS similar or distinct from fibromyalgia? Myofascial pain syndrome is sometimes used generically to include all types of myofascial pain, so the terminology can become confusing. Semantics aside, fibromyalgia and MPS are two distinct entities. As stated previously, fibromyalgia and MPS are distinct points on a spectrum, along with syndromes where true mechanical dysfunction is found. Many of the clinical characteristics of fibromyalgia such as sleep disorders, morning stiffness, and fatigue are also found in MPS, but the pain complaints are consistently more regional than in fibromyalgia. Most clinicians also agree that, of the two syndromes, MPS has the better prognosis.

[ NOTE: There is much more to read about MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME ( MPS) at the above website!!!]


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