Head and neck fibromyalgia and temporomandibular arthralgia

The attentive clinician can no longer be satisfied with global diagnostic categories such as "TMJ syndrome" or "MPD syndrome." Nor can one be content with nonspecific diagnostic testing or generic referral. This article has outlined specific components of head and neck pain originating in the masticatory musculoskeletal system. Much progress has been made in recent years, particularly in regard to diagnostic imaging. The future will bring us data on long-term treatment efficacy and a better understanding of chronic pain conditions that lack discrete organic lesions. Finally, the manifestation of psychiatric or psychologic abnormalities as pain is under scientific scrutiny and a better understanding of conversion phenomena will assure proper use of available treatment modalities.