Uncovering the Biochemical Milieu of Myofascial Trigger Points: Implications in the Management of Chronic Soft Tissue Pain Syndromes

摘要

Myofascial pain is a very common component of chronic soft tissue pain syndromes. It has been characterized by a physical finding (i.e., hyperirritable nodules in taut bands of skeletal muscle) and symptom cluster without demonstrable pathology. Although data demonstrate a role for endogenous substances in muscle pain, the pathogenesis of myofascial pain remains elusive. The impact of our studies using a novel microdialysis technology is four-fold: 1) elucidation of the pathophysiology of myofascial pain through quantitative measures of cytokines, neuropeptides, catecholamines and others; 2) development of technologies to assay tissue in-vivo for extremely small molecules in minute quantities; 3) application of a heuristic method to identify biochemical targets for musculoskeletal pain disorders and assessment of quantitative outcome measures of efficacy at the biomolecular level; 4) development of unique in situ delivery systems for the amelioration of musculoskeletal pain disorders.