eMedicine Specialties > Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation > Muscle Pain Syndromes

Myofascial Pain: Follow-up

Author: Jennifer E Finley, MD, FAAPMR, CIME, Consulting Physiatrist
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Aug 26, 2009

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

  • For patients with myofascial pain, periodic physician visits should continue until the individual's symptoms have resolved or have stabilized at maximum medical improvement (MMI).

Deterrence

  • The deterrence and prevention of myofascial pain focus on removing perpetuating factors. Using appropriate body mechanics, avoiding prolonged static positioning, and properly fitting furniture and workstations all are important. Full ROM of all muscles on a daily basis is extremely helpful.

Prognosis

  • The prognosis for the resolution of myofascial pain is good if treatment is started in the acute phase and aggravating factors are eliminated. Treatment becomes more difficult as chronicity increases.

Patient Education

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Failure to administer adequate treatment is a potential pitfall. Myofascial pain is a common finding in workers' compensation and motor vehicle accident cases. Patients frequently present for independent medical examinations and impairment ratings, and examinees often receive inadequate treatment. The examiner must determine whether the examinee is at MMI to give an impairment rating. Physicians must exclude a visceral cause of trigger points that could temporarily be masked by treatment.
 


More on Myofascial Pain

Overview: Myofascial Pain
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Myofascial Pain
Treatment & Medication: Myofascial Pain
Follow-up: Myofascial Pain
References
Further Reading
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References

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Further Reading

Related eMedicine topics:
 Cervical Myofascial Pain
Fibromyalgia [Pediatrics: General Medicine]
Fibromyalgia [Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation]
Fibromyalgia [Rheumatology]
Massage, Traction, and Manipulation
Myofascial Pain in Athletes
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

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Keywords

myofascial pain, myofascial, trigger point, myofascial pain, myofascial pain syndrome, trigger point pain, chronic myofascial pain, trigger point therapy, myofascial trigger point, myofascial trigger, trigger point injections, trigger pain, pain and myofascial, musclehãrten, myogeloses, osteochondrosis, myofascitis

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Jennifer E Finley, MD, FAAPMR, CIME, Consulting Physiatrist
Jennifer E Finley, MD, FAAPMR, CIME is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine
Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Medical Editor

Martin K Childers, DO, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Wake Forest University Health Services
Martin K Childers, DO, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, American Osteopathic Association, Christian Medical & Dental Society, and Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Disclosure: Allergan pharma Consulting fee Consulting

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

Patrick M Foye, MD, FAAPMR, FAAEM, Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Co-Director of Musculoskeletal Fellowship, Co-Director of Back Pain Clinic, Director of Coccyx Pain Service (Tailbone Pain Service: www.TailboneDoctor.com), University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School
Patrick M Foye, MD, FAAPMR, FAAEM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, Association of Academic Physiatrists, and International Spine Intervention Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Kelly L Allen, MD, Regional Medical Director, IMX-Medical Management Services
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Alegent Health Care, Immanuel Rehabilitation Center
Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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