The Treatment of Trigger Points in the Cervical and Facial Area

Abstract

SUMMARYObjectives: The myofascial pain syndrome supported by trigger points is most frequent in the cervical and facial area. The aim of this work was to determine if treatment by anesthetic infiltration of 32 patients affected with TrPs is sufficient to resolve the disorders or if these patients require a multidisciplinary treatment.Methods: The diagnosis of MPS was made according to Simons and the injection of three percent carbocaine was according to Hong.Results: Ten of the patients [31%] had complete disappearance of painful TrPs following the analgesic infiltration; the remaining 22 patients were put on a specific physical therapy program for myofascial pain. Four of the latter patients required an occlusal bite.Conclusion: Patients presenting long term pain have TrPs which rarely respond to this treatment with complete disappearance of pain. In the case of chronic TrPs, physical therapy must be considered; the TrPs are often the manifestation of myofascial syndromes located elsewhere. Shortly after...