Myofascial pain syndrome is common - affecting somewhere around 1 in every 5 people. Yet there is plenty of debate about what causes myofascial pain syndrome, how to diagnose it, and even whether myofascial pain syndrome is a primary condition.

Today, Professor Chad Cook (Duke University) discusses whether it is even possible to differentiate myofascial pain syndrome from other pain conditions, and the implications for you, the clinician.

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RESOURCES

Myofascial pain syndromes - controversies and suggestions for improving diagnosis and treatment: https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2025.13072

International Association for the Study of Pain - Myofascial pain fact sheet 14: https://www.iasp-pain.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/14.-Myofascial-Pain-Fact-Sheet-Revised-2017.pdf