Fibromyalgia is a wide spread painful syndrome that is hallmarked by tender points in the body, depression, irritable bowel syndrome and fatigue. Although a growing condition, it is often misdiagnosed and confused with Myofascial pain syndrome. Myofascial pain syndrome is a condition characterized by having multiple trigger points which differ than tender points associated with Fibromyalgia. Many time physicians will interchange the two and misdiagnose the similar conditions. Trigger points often present themselves in the same muscles that serve as the diagnostic markers for Fibromyalgia. Tender points are localized; trigger points refer to other areas of the body. Fibromyalgia usually has a depression and an irritable bowel component, trigger points from Myofascial pain syndrome do not. A well trained trigger point therapist can usually determine if the painful areas are trigger points or Fibromyalgia tender points.

 

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