What is myofascial pain syndrome?

Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic local or regional musculoskeletal pain disorder that may involve either a single muscle or a muscle group. The pain may be of a burning, stabbing, aching or nagging quality.

How do members experience myofascial pain syndrome?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with myofascial pain syndrome*

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Muscle pain
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Tramadol Magnesium Carisoprodol
Common symptom
Pain
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) Gabapentin
Common symptom
Fatigue
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Rest Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine Multivitamins
Common symptom
Stress
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Listen to Music Aromatherapy Playing musical instrument
Common symptom
Pain in shoulder(s)
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen Heating Pad-Hot Packs Therapeutic brace

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for myofascial pain syndrome*

Treatment
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Treatment

(Tylenol)
Type
Over the Counter Drug
How many have tried
415
Tried for
myofascial pain syndrome (2)
Treatment

(Outpatient PT)
Type
Physical Therapy
How many have tried
483
Tried for
myofascial pain syndrome (1)

*Data from patients with myofascial pain syndrome, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with myofascial pain syndrome*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Tylenol)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
myofascial pain syndrome (2)
Treatment

(Outpatient PT)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
pelvic pain
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
myofascial pain syndrome (1)

*Data from patients with myofascial pain syndrome, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has myofascial pain syndrome on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 2
20s 41
30s 134
40s 311
50s 464
60s 435
70+ 148

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 207
Female 1,323