Abstract
Myofascial pain is possibly the most common cause of musculoskeleta l pain in the field of medicine. It is a common finding in many different specialty areas of medicine, including physical therapy (Starlanyl, 2003). According to Borg - Stein and Simons (2002), the prevalence of myofascial pain varies from 21% in patients seen in orthopedic clinics to 85 - 90% of patients presenting to specialty pain management centers. Myofascial pain originates from myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), which are small, highly sensitive areas in the muscle. Myofascial pain is the main feature of Myofascial pain syndrome, which is characterized as an overuse or muscular stress condition caused by MTrPS. Patients present with hypomobility, a decrease in range of motion, muscle weakness, and pain (Simons, Travell, & Simons, 1999). Myofascial pain syndrome is one of the most frequent causes of chronic pain (Evans, Kunkle, Zinz, Walter, & Denegar, 2001). Approximately 23 million people, or 10% of the United States population, have one or more musculoskeletal disorders resulting in chronic pain (Alvarez & Rockwell, 2002). Chronic pain can limit activities, cause depression and anxiety, interrupt sleep, and interfere with activities of daily living (Beers, Porter, Jones, Kaplan, & Berkwits, 2006). Chronic pain and its related disorders are the main cause of disability in the working- age population, in addition to being one of the most common complaints seen by physical therapists today (Alvarez & Rockwell, 2002). Researchers Melzack and Wall (1989) have stated that all chronic pain has MTrP activity as at least part of its etiology and that in many cases MTrPs are the major contributors to pain. Researcher Janet Travell is on record stating that if a patient experiences pain that is severe enough to cause the patient to seek professional advice (in the absence of organic disease), referred pain is likely to be a factor and therefore a MTrP is most likely involved (Chaitow, 1996). By understanding MTrPs and effective treatments, physical therapists can more successfully manage myofascial pain syndrome.