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Current Pain and Headache Reports
Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports 5/2011

01-10-2011

Effects of Treatment of Myofascial Trigger Points on the Pain of Fibromyalgia

Authors: Maria Adele Giamberardino, Giannapia Affaitati, Alessandra Fabrizio, Raffaele Costantini

Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports | Issue 5/2011

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Abstract

Myofascial pain syndromes (MPSs) from trigger points (TrPs) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) are common musculoskeletal pain conditions that frequently coexist in the same patients. In recent decades, it has become evident that these entities greatly influence each other’s clinical expression. FMS is mainly rooted in the central nervous system, while TrPs have a peripheral origin. However, the nociceptive impulses from TrPs may have significant impact on symptoms of FMS, probably by enhancing the level of central sensitization typical of this condition. Several attempts have been made to assess the effects of treatment of co-occurring TrPs in FMS. We report the outcomes of these studies showing that local extinction of TrPs in patients with fibromyalgia produces significant relief of FMS pain. Though further studies are needed, these findings suggest that assessment and treatment of concurrent TrPs in FMS should be systematically performed before any specific fibromyalgia therapy is undertaken.
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Metadata
Title
Effects of Treatment of Myofascial Trigger Points on the Pain of Fibromyalgia
Authors
Maria Adele Giamberardino
Giannapia Affaitati
Alessandra Fabrizio
Raffaele Costantini
Publication date
01-10-2011
Publisher
Current Science Inc.
Published in
Current Pain and Headache Reports / Issue 5/2011
Print ISSN: 1531-3433
Electronic ISSN: 1534-3081
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-011-0205-3

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