ABSTRACT
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), a common musculoskeletal pain syndrome, can be acute or chronic, local, regional, or generalized. Commonly, it is a primary disorder including local or regional pain syndromes. This chapter discusses the various conservative treatment options/modalities that can be used in the treatment of MPS. Only after the clinical diagnosis of MPS has been made, and the physician has ruled out any endocrinopathies or other primary problems, can the patient begin therapy. To hope to successfully provide therapy for chronic MPS patients, all of the identified clinical–organic, psychological, and psychosocial aspects of their pain problem must be treated simultaneously, most appropriately in a full program provided under one roof. When patients with chronic MPS are seen, prior to initiating treatment, they should be evaluated for depression, anxiety disorder, iatrogenic medication overutilization, and their psychosocial milieu must be detailed to enable the development of a full, appropriate individualized, interdisciplinary pain management program.
