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Fascial Components of the Myofascial Pain Syndrome

  • Myofascial Pain (R Gerwin, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is described as the muscle, sensory, motor, and autonomic nervous system symptoms caused by stimulation of myofascial trigger points (MTP). The participation of fascia in this syndrome has often been neglected. Several manual and physical approaches have been proposed to improve myofascial function after traumatic injuries, but the processes that induce pathological modifications of myofascial tissue after trauma remain unclear. Alterations in collagen fiber composition, in fibroblasts or in extracellular matrix composition have been postulated. We summarize here recent developments in the biology of fascia, and in particular, its associated hyaluronan (HA)-rich matrix that address the issue of MPS.

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Stecco Antonio declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Marco Gesi declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Carla Stecco declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Robert Stern declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sport Medicine, University of Padova, Padua, Italy

    Antonio Stecco

  2. Department of Human Anatomy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    Marco Gesi

  3. Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Via Gabelli 65, 35127, Padova, Italy

    Carla Stecco

  4. Department of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Touro/Harlem College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York, NY, 10027, USA

    Robert Stern

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  1. Antonio Stecco
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Correspondence to Carla Stecco.

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Stecco, A., Gesi, M., Stecco, C. et al. Fascial Components of the Myofascial Pain Syndrome. Curr Pain Headache Rep 17, 352 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-013-0352-9

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