Give Online: Help shape patient care for generations to come.
Cleveland Clinic Logo

Diseases & Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

What is myofascial pain syndrome?


What causes myofascial pain?

Myofascial pain might develop from a muscle injury or from excessive strain on a particular muscle or muscle group, ligament, or tendon. Other causes include:

  • Injury to intervertebral disks
  • General fatigue
  • Repetitive motions
  • Medical conditions (including heart attack, stomach irritation)
What are the symptoms of myofascial pain?


How is myofascial pain diagnosed?

The recognition of this syndrome requires a precise understanding of the body's trigger points. Trigger points can be identified by pain that results when pressure is applied to an area of the patient's body. In the diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome, four types of trigger points can be distinguished:

How is myofascial pain treated?


In some chronic cases of myofascial pain, combinations of physical therapy, trigger point injections, and massage are needed. In select cases, medicine is used to treat any co-morbid (existing simultaneously) conditions, such as insomnia and depression. A case can be made for using the older tricyclic antidepressants and some of the newer antidepressants.



Can't find the health information you’re looking for?


Institutes, Departments and Centers