A critical evaluation of the trigger point phenomenon

Area of Science:

• Pain research
• Neuroscience
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) and trigger points (TrPs) are widely accepted concepts.
• TrPs are implicated in chronic widespread pain conditions like fibromyalgia (FM).
• The scientific basis of MPS and TrPs remains controversial.

Purpose of the Study:

• Critically examine the scientific evidence for myofascial trigger points (TrPs).
• Evaluate the validity of the theory linking TrPs to myofascial pain syndrome (MPS).
• Investigate the proposed mechanisms maintaining TrPs.

Main Methods:

• Review of experimental studies interrogating suspect tissue.
• Analysis of empirical studies assessing treatment outcomes.
• Critical evaluation of existing scientific literature on MPS and TrPs.

Main Results:

• No scientific basis found for the existence of myofascial TrPs as pathological entities.
• The proposed mechanisms maintaining TrPs lack empirical support.
• The theory of MPS caused by TrPs is scientifically refuted.

Conclusions:

• The concept of myofascial trigger points (TrPs) as pathological entities is not supported by scientific evidence.
• The theory of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) caused by TrPs has been refuted.
• Clinical pain phenomena attributed to TrPs can be explained by known neurophysiological mechanisms.