MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME IN SPECIAL POPULATIONS

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) refers to a condition involving regional pain, involuntary muscle contractions, and impaired function arising from hypersensitive trigger points. Diagnosis and treatment processes vary among special patient populations. In children and adolescents, growth and postural disorders play a role; sports injuries may act as triggers. During pregnancy and the postpartum period, hormonal changes and postural adaptations increase the frequency of MPS, especially in the lumbar and pelvic muscles. Fibromyalgia, diabetes, and rheumatic diseases may coexist with MPS, complicat-ing diagnosis. In diabetic patients, myofascial pain syndrome is difficult to diagnose due to symptom overlap with diabetic neuropathy and altered pain perception, which may mask trigger point-related pain. The primary diagnostic approach relies on patient history and physical evaluation of trigger points, while imaging techniques usually contribute minimally. Treatment should be including exer-cise, manual therapy, posture education, and, in selected cases, medications or trigger point injections.