ABSTRACT
The perception of pain is an entirely subjective experience. Myofascial pain is a commonly occurring condition, more so in women than in men. It may be argued that such pain is just part of the burden of everyday life, and as such belongs beyond the borders of medicine. Contemporary muscle and pain physiology provide models explaining how the perception of pain is modulated or regulated, suggesting that processes in the muscle may serve as pathogenetic links between several etiological causes of pain and the individual experience of pain. Painful or abusive relationships at home or at work provide obvious causal explanations, supporting an understanding of body and mind as intimately intertwined connections in the lives of human beings. Several authors emphasize that the management of chronic pain patients entails more than offering drugs and simple procedures. Collaboration with other healthcare providers, referral to specialist care and multidisciplinary clinics may be useful in many cases.
