From Myofascial Pain Syndrome to Fibromyalgia: The Overlooked Connection

 It was one of those pivotal "aha" moments—the realization that my fibromyalgia didn’t just appear out of nowhere. For years, I had battled persistent muscle pain, dismissed as tension, stress, or minor injuries. What nobody recognized, and what I had failed to connect at the time, was that my journey likely started with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). The deep knots, the unexplained trigger points, the frustration of being told it was "just in my head"—all of it added up. But because MPS wasn’t properly acknowledged or treated, my condition evolved into something much more complex: fibromyalgia. This realization reframed everything I thought I knew about my own health.

The Overlapping Symptoms: MPS vs. Fibromyalgia

Both MPS and fibromyalgia cause chronic pain, but their mechanisms differ. MPS is localized, characterized by tight trigger points in muscles that cause referred pain, while fibromyalgia involves widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and cognitive challenges. Despite these distinctions, their interaction is increasingly recognized, particularly in cases where unresolved MPS symptoms seem to contribute to fibromyalgia’s onset.

The Progression from MPS to Fibromyalgia

Several studies suggest that untreated or prolonged MPS can lead to central sensitization—a hallmark of fibromyalgia. Chronic trigger point pain may send repeated signals to the nervous system, potentially triggering widespread pain and heightened sensitivity. A scoping review in PLOS One explores how fascia adapts to chronic tension and how sustained myofascial dysfunction might contribute to fibromyalgia’s development.

Other research, such as an article from ePainAssist, discusses the theory that repetitive, untreated pain from MPS may increase brain sensitivity, leading to the systemic pain response characteristic of fibromyalgia.

Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment

One of the major hurdles for those dealing with both conditions is the diagnostic process. Many healthcare providers focus solely on fibromyalgia’s systemic symptoms while overlooking the muscular dysfunction characteristic of MPS. This gap in recognition often leads to delayed intervention, forcing individuals to struggle with worsening pain and frustration.

Treatment approaches should ideally target both conditions. For MPS, trigger point therapy, physical therapy, and stretching techniques can help alleviate localized pain. For fibromyalgia, a multidisciplinary strategy that includes medication, lifestyle adjustments, and nervous system modulation is key.

Why This Connection Matters

Understanding the relationship between MPS and fibromyalgia could change how patients and healthcare providers approach treatment. If MPS is identified early, interventions might prevent or minimize fibromyalgia’s progression, ultimately improving quality of life. This underscores the importance of medical practitioners taking a holistic view of chronic pain conditions instead of relying on narrowly defined diagnostic categories.