Research & Literature

Myofascial Trigger Points Then and Now: A Historical and Scientific Perspective.

Shah JP, Thaker N, Heimur J, et al.

PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation 2015; (7(7)):746-761 doi:10.1016/j.pmrj.2015.01.024.

Signs and Symptoms of Myofascial Pain: An International Survey of Pain Management Providers and Proposed Preliminary Set of Diagnostic Criteria.

Rivers WE, Garrigues D, Graciosa J, Harden RN

Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) 2015; (16(9)):1794-805 doi:10.1111/pme.12780.

Deconstructing Chronic Low Back Pain in the Older Adult-Step by Step Evidence and Expert-Based Recommendations for Evaluation and Treatment: Part II: Myofascial Pain.

Lisi AJ, Breuer P, Gallagher RM, et al.

Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) 2015; (16(7)):1282-9 doi:10.1111/pme.12821.

Myofascial Pain Syndromes in the Emergency Department: What Are We Missing?

Roldan CJ, Hu N

The Journal of emergency medicine 2015; (49(6)):1004-10.

Pretreatment anxiety and pain acceptance are associated with response to trigger point injection therapy for chronic myofascial pain.

Healy GM, Finn DP, O'Gorman DA, et al.

Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) 2015; (16(10)):1955-66 doi:10.1111/pme.12781.

Pneumothorax after trigger point injection: A case report and review of literature.

Ahiskalioglu EO, Alici HA, Dostbil A, et al.

Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation 2016; (29(4)):895-897 doi:10.3233/BMR-160666.

Fibromyalgia.

Häuser W, Ablin J, Fitzcharles MA, et al.

Nature reviews. Disease primers 2015; (1()):15022 doi:10.1038/nrdp.2015.22.

Widespread Pain and Low Widespread Pain Index Scores among Fibromyalgia-positive Cases Assessed with the 2010/2011 Fibromyalgia Criteria.

Wolfe F, Egloff N, Häuser W

The Journal of rheumatology 2016; (43(9)):1743-8 doi:10.3899/jrheum.160153.

Effectiveness of dry needling for chronic nonspecific neck pain: a randomized, single-blinded, clinical trial.

Cerezo-Téllez E, Torres-Lacomba M, Fuentes-Gallardo I, et al.

Pain 2016; (157(9)):1905-1917 doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000591.

Selenium and Zinc Status in Chronic Myofascial Pain: Serum and Erythrocyte Concentrations and Food Intake.

Barros-Neto JA, Souza-Machado A, Kraychete DC, et al.

PloS one 2016; (11(10)):e0164302 doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0164302.

2016 Revisions to the 2010/2011 fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria.

Wolfe F, Clauw DJ, Fitzcharles MA, et al.

Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism 2016; (46(3)):319-329 doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2016.08.012.

Prevalence of Myofascial Pain Syndrome in Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study.

Cerezo-Téllez E, Torres-Lacomba M, Mayoral-Del Moral O, et al.

Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) 2016; (17(12)):2369-2377 doi:10.1093/pm/pnw114.

Increased Risk of Myofascial Pain Syndrome Among Patients with Insomnia.

Lin WC, Shen CC, Tsai SJ, Yang AC

Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) 2017; (18(8)):1557-1565 doi:10.1093/pm/pnw300.

Localized myofascial pain responds better than referring myofascial pain to botulinum toxin injections.

Abboud WA, Hassin-Baer S, Joachim M, et al.

International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery 2017; (46(11)):1417-1423 doi:10.1016/j.ijom.2017.04.020.

A Comparative Evaluation of the 2011 and 2016 Criteria for Fibromyalgia.

Ablin JN, Wolfe F

The Journal of rheumatology 2017; (44(8)):1271-1276 doi:10.3899/jrheum.170095.

The local twitch response during trigger point dry needling: Is it necessary for successful outcomes?

Perreault T, Dunning J, Butts R

Journal of bodywork and movement therapies 2017; (21(4)):940-947 doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.03.008.

The shear wave elastic modulus and the increased nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB/p65) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in the area of myofascial trigger points activated in a rat model by blunt trauma to the vastus medialis.

Lv H, Li Z, Hu T, et al.

Journal of biomechanics 2018; (66()):44-50 doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2017.10.028.

Pathophysiology and Management of Abdominal Myofascial Pain Syndrome (AMPS): A Three-Year Prospective Audit of a Management Pathway in 120 Patients.

Niraj G

Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) 2018; (19(11)):2256-2266 doi:10.1093/pm/pnx343.

Specific spinal pathologies in adult patients with an acute or subacute atraumatic low back pain in the emergency department.

Reito A, Kyrölä K, Pekkanen L, Paloneva J

International orthopaedics 2018; (42(12)):2843-2849 doi:10.1007/s00264-018-3983-y.

Postneedling Soreness and Tenderness After Different Dosages of Dry Needling of an Active Myofascial Trigger Point in Patients With Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Martín-Pintado-Zugasti A, Fernández-Carnero J, León-Hernández JV, et al.

PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation 2018; (10(12)):1311-1320 doi:10.1016/j.pmrj.2018.05.015.

A comparison of the clinical manifestation and pathophysiology of myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia: implications for differential diagnosis and management.

Bourgaize S, Newton G, Kumbhare D, Srbely J

The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association 2018; (62(1)):26-41.

Post-needling soreness after myofascial trigger point dry needling: Current status and future research.

Martín-Pintado-Zugasti A, Mayoral Del Moral O, Gerwin RD, Fernández-Carnero J

Journal of bodywork and movement therapies 2018; (22(4)):941-946 doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2018.01.003.

Myofascial Pain.

Weller JL, Comeau D, Otis JAD

Seminars in neurology 2018; (38(6)):640-643 doi:10.1055/s-0038-1673674.

Effect of Local Anesthetic Versus Botulinum Toxin-A Injections for Myofascial Pain Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Ahmed S, Subramaniam S, Sidhu K, et al.

The Clinical journal of pain 2019; (35(4)):353-367 doi:10.1097/AJP.0000000000000681.

Effect of aerobic exercise in the treatment of myofascial pain: a systematic review.

Ahmed S, Khattab S, Haddad C, et al.

Journal of exercise rehabilitation 2018; (14(6)):902-910 doi:10.12965/jer.1836406.205.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Acupuncture Points Improves Myofascial Pain, Moods, and Sleep Quality.

Chiou YF, Yeh ML, Wang YJ

Rehabilitation nursing : the official journal of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses 2020; (45(4)):225-233 doi:10.1097/RNJ.0000000000000198.

Local Anesthetic Injections for the Short-Term Treatment of Head and Neck Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Nouged E, Dajani J, Ku B, et al.

Journal of oral & facial pain and headache 2019; (33(2)):183–198 doi:10.11607/ofph.2277.

Assessment of predisposing factors in myofascial pain syndrome and the analgesic effect of trigger point injections - A primary therapeutic interventional clinical trial.

Parthasarathy S, Sundar S, Mishra G

Indian journal of anaesthesia 2019; (63(4)):300-303 doi:10.4103/ija.IJA_6_19.

Early results of supervised versus unsupervised rehabilitation of patients with cervical pain.

Huber J, Lisiński P

The International journal of artificial organs 2019; (42(12)):695-703 doi:10.1177/0391398819853296.

Myofascial pain syndrome and trigger points: evaluation and treatment in patients with musculoskeletal pain.

Barbero M, Schneebeli A, Koetsier E, Maino P

Current opinion in supportive and palliative care 2019; (13(3)):270-276 doi:10.1097/SPC.0000000000000445.

Trigger point dry needling for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome: current perspectives within a pain neuroscience paradigm.

Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Nijs J

Journal of pain research 2019; (12()):1899-1911 doi:10.2147/JPR.S154728.

Bacterial Infections of the Central Nervous System.

LaPenna PA, Roos KL

Seminars in neurology 2019; (39(3)):334-342 doi:10.1055/s-0039-1693159.

Normal Saline Trigger Point Injections vs Conventional Active Drug Mix for Myofascial Pain Syndromes.

Roldan CJ, Osuagwu U, Cardenas-Turanzas M, Huh BK

The American journal of emergency medicine 2020; (38(2)):311-316 doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2019.158410.

A systematic review of manual therapy techniques, dry cupping and dry needling in the reduction of myofascial pain and myofascial trigger points.

Charles D, Hudgins T, MacNaughton J, et al.

Journal of bodywork and movement therapies 2019; (23(3)):539-546 doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2019.04.001.

Central Sensitization and Catastrophism Symptoms Are Associated with Chronic Myofascial Pain in the Gastrocnemius of Athletes.

San-Antolín M, Rodríguez-Sanz D, Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo R, et al.

Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) 2020; (21(8)):1616-1625 doi:10.1093/pm/pnz296.

Improving characterization and diagnosis quality of myofascial pain syndrome: a systematic review of the clinical and biomarker overlap with delayed onset muscle soreness.

Vadasz B, Gohari J, West DW, et al.

European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine 2020; (56(4)):469-478 doi:10.23736/S1973-9087.20.05820-7.

Foci of Segmentally Contracted Sarcomeres in Trapezius Muscle Biopsy Specimens in Myalgic and Nonmyalgic Human Subjects: Preliminary Results.

Gerwin RD, Cagnie B, Petrovic M, et al.

Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) 2020; (21(10)):2348-2356 doi:10.1093/pm/pnaa019.

Ultrasound-guided dextrose injection treatment for chronic myofascial pain syndrome: A retrospective case series.

Chou Y, Chiou HJ, Wang HK, Lai YC

Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA 2020; (83(9)):876-879 doi:10.1097/JCMA.0000000000000339.

A Comprehensive Review of the Treatment and Management of Myofascial Pain Syndrome.

Galasso A, Urits I, An D, et al.

Current pain and headache reports 2020; (24(8)):43 doi:10.1007/s11916-020-00877-5.

The pathophysiological nature of sarcomeres in trigger points in patients with myofascial pain syndrome: A preliminary study.

Jin F, Guo Y, Wang Z, et al.

European journal of pain (London, England) 2020; (24(10)):1968-1978 doi:10.1002/ejp.1647.

Criteria Used for the Diagnosis of Myofascial Trigger Points in Clinical Trials on Physical Therapy: Updated Systematic Review.

Li L, Stoop R, Clijsen R, et al.

The Clinical journal of pain 2020; (36(12)):955-967 doi:10.1097/AJP.0000000000000875.

Clinical Characteristics of Myofascial Pain Syndrome with Psychological Stress in Patients with Cancer.

Hasuo H, Ishiki H, Matsuoka H, Fukunaga M

Journal of palliative medicine 2021; (24(5)):697-704 doi:10.1089/jpm.2020.0371.

Effect of Physical Exercise Programs on Myofascial Trigger Points-Related Dysfunctions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Guzmán-Pavón MJ, Cavero-Redondo I, Martínez-Vizcaíno V, et al.

Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) 2020; (21(11)):2986-2996 doi:10.1093/pm/pnaa253.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin, Local Anesthesia, and Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections in Patients With Myofascial Trigger Points in the Masseter Muscle.

Yilmaz O, Sivrikaya EC, Taskesen F, et al.

Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery : official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 2021; (79(1)):88.e1-88.e9 doi:10.1016/j.joms.2020.09.013.

Increased substance P-like immunoreactivities in parabrachial and amygdaloid nuclei in a rat model with masticatory myofascial pain.

Hsieh YL, Wu BT, Yang CC

Experimental brain research 2020; (238(12)):2845-2855 doi:10.1007/s00221-020-05942-4.

Effectiveness of Dry Needling for Myofascial Trigger Points Associated with Neck Pain Symptoms: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Navarro-Santana MJ, Sanchez-Infante J, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, et al.

Journal of clinical medicine 2020; (9(10)) doi:10.3390/jcm9103300.

Ultrasound-guided interventional procedures for myofascial trigger points: a systematic review.

Diep D, Chen KJQ, Kumbhare D

Regional anesthesia and pain medicine 2021; (46(1)):73-80 doi:10.1136/rapm-2020-101898.

Cervical Radiculopathy Focus on Characteristics and Differential Diagnosis.

Kang KC, Lee HS, Lee JH

Asian spine journal 2020; (14(6)):921-930 doi:10.31616/asj.2020.0647.

Spinal cord injury by direct damage during trigger point injection: a case report.

Kim JB, Chang MC

The Journal of international medical research 2021; (49(5)):3000605211012367 doi:10.1177/03000605211012367.

Prevalence of Cervical Myofascial Pain Syndrome and its Correlation with the Severity of Pain and Disability in Patients with Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain.

Ezzati K, Ravarian B, Saberi A, et al.

The archives of bone and joint surgery 2021; (9(2)):230-234 doi:10.22038/abjs.2020.48697.2415.

Comparison of the Effects of Physiologic Saline Interfascial and Lidocaine Trigger Point Injections in Treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Tantanatip A, Patisumpitawong W, Lee S

Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translation 2021; (3(2)):100119 doi:10.1016/j.arrct.2021.100119.

Re-Examining Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Toward Biomarker Development and Mechanism-Based Diagnostic Criteria.

Duarte FCK, West DWD, Linde LD, et al.

Current rheumatology reports 2021; (23(8)):69 doi:10.1007/s11926-021-01024-8.

Evaluation of the role of anal tone and perianal sensation examination in the assessment of suspected cauda equina syndrome.

Curtis Lopez C, Berg AJ, Clayton B, et al.

British journal of neurosurgery 2024; (38(4)):923-927 doi:10.1080/02688697.2021.2005775.

Trigger Point Injection as a Rare Cause of Ischemic Stroke: A Case Report.

Tanoğlu C, Duman İlki C, Ersoy A, Yaşar H

The neurologist 2022; (27(4)):203-205 doi:10.1097/NRL.0000000000000373.

Effect of dry-needling and exercise treatment on myofascial trigger point: A single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Korkmaz MD, Medin Ceylan C

Complementary therapies in clinical practice 2022; (47()):101571 doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101571.

Neuralgia and Atypical Facial, Ear, and Head Pain.

Cutri RM, Shakya D, Shibata SB

Otolaryngologic clinics of North America 2022; (55(3)):595-606 doi:10.1016/j.otc.2022.02.006.

Trigger Points and Contracture/Contraction Knots: What's in a Name? Reply to Dommerholt, J.; Gerwin, R.D. Contracture Knots vs. Trigger Points. Comment on "Ball et al. Ultrasound Confirmation of the Multiple Loci Hypothesis of the Myofascial Trigger Point and the Diagnostic Importance of Specificity in the Elicitation of the Local Twitch Response. Diagnostics 2022, 12, 321".

Ball A, Perreault T, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, et al.

Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) 2022; (12(10)) doi:10.3390/diagnostics12102366.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Nociceptive Condition Comorbid with Neuropathic or Nociplastic Pain.

Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Nijs J, Cagnie B, et al.

Life (Basel, Switzerland) 2023; (13(3)) doi:10.3390/life13030694.

A New Unified Theory of Trigger Point Formation: Failure of Pre- and Post-Synaptic Feedback Control Mechanisms.

Gerwin RD

International journal of molecular sciences 2023; (24(9)) doi:10.3390/ijms24098142.

The Effect of ISBT-Bowen Therapy in the Treatment of Myofascial Neck Pain-a Randomized, Single-Blinded Clinical Trial.

Ying CLA, Lee TMA, Chen PY, et al.

International journal of therapeutic massage & bodywork 2023; (16(2)):29-38 doi:10.3822/ijtmb.v16i2.801.

Characteristics and clinical features of cauda equina syndrome: insights from a study on 256 patients.

Zeb J, Zaib J, Khan A, et al.

SICOT-J 2023; (9()):22 doi:10.1051/sicotj/2023019.

Red flags to screen for vertebral fracture in people presenting with low back pain.

Han CS, Hancock MJ, Downie A, et al.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews 2023; (8()):CD014461 doi:10.1002/14651858.CD014461.pub2.

Comparative effectiveness of noninvasive therapeutic interventions for myofascial pain syndrome: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Liu C, Wang Y, Yu W, et al.

International journal of surgery (London, England) 2024; (110(2)):1099-1112 doi:10.1097/JS9.0000000000000860.

Intramuscular injections of botulinum toxin for the treatment of upper back myofascial pain syndrome: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Leonardi G, Alito A, Portaro S, et al.

European journal of pain (London, England) 2024; (28(3)):369-381 doi:10.1002/ejp.2198.

Comparative effects of Bowen therapy and tennis ball technique on pain and functional disability in patients with thoracic myofascial pain syndrome.

Amjad F, Khalid A

Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research 2023; (18(1)):895 doi:10.1186/s13018-023-04379-z.

Myofascial pain - A major player in musculoskeletal pain.

Lam C, Francio VT, Gustafson K, et al.

Best practice & research. Clinical rheumatology 2024; (38(1)):101944 doi:10.1016/j.berh.2024.101944.

Musculoskeletal mimics of lumbosacral radiculopathy.

Bateman EA, Fortin CD, Guo M

Muscle & nerve 2025; (71(5)):816-832 doi:10.1002/mus.28106.

Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Considerations of C7-T1 Single-Level Myelopathy: A Case Series.

Okamoto K, Kimura R, Kasukawa Y, et al.

Cureus 2024; (16(5)):e60306 doi:10.7759/cureus.60306.

Correlations between the Frankfort Plane and the Presence of Myofascial Trigger Points in Posterior Cervical Musculature: An Exploratory Study.

Sánchez-Guilabert D, Martínez-Carrasco Á

Journal of clinical medicine 2024; (13(12)) doi:10.3390/jcm13123614.

Trigger point injection therapies for chronic myofascial neck and back pain: A systematic review.

Debrosse M, Shergill S, Shah A, et al.

Interventional pain medicine 2022; (1(3)):100076 doi:10.1016/j.inpm.2022.100076.

Unnecessary Needling: A Case of Iatrogenic Pneumothorax Following Dry Needling Procedure for Chronic Myofascial Pain.

Arora A, Arora Y, Vasireddy S

Cureus 2024; (16(12)):e76055 doi:10.7759/cureus.76055.

Myofascial Pain Syndromes: Controversies and Suggestions for Improving Diagnosis and Treatment.

Cook CE, Degenhardt B, Aspinall S, et al.

The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy 2025; (55(4)):231-234 doi:10.2519/jospt.2025.13072.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome: An Update on Clinical Characteristics, Etiopathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment.

Steen JP, Jaiswal KS, Kumbhare D

Muscle & nerve 2025; (71(5)):889-910 doi:10.1002/mus.28377.

Shear-Wave Elastography Supports That Muscle Stiffness Should Not Be Considered a Criterion to Determine the Presence of Myofascial Trigger Points in the Infraspinatus Muscle.

Kobylarz MD, Klich S, Sánchez-Jorge S, et al.

American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation 2025; (104(10)):890-895 doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000002721.

Isoliquiritigenin alleviates abnormal sarcomere contraction and inflammation in myofascial trigger points via the IL-17RA/Act1/p38 pathway in rats.

Li X, Qi T, Zhou L, et al.

Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology 2025; (145()):156993 doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2025.156993.

A clinical study of ultrasound-guided acupotomy combined with mindfulness meditation to improve lumbar myofascial pain syndrome.

Liu Y, Shang J, Zhang Y, et al.

Frontiers in neurology 2025; (16()):1627376 doi:10.3389/fneur.2025.1627376.

Multimodal Physiotherapy Interventions for Cervical Myofascial Pain (2019-2025): A Structured Narrative Literature Review of Randomized Trials.

Simati K, Paraskeva A, Tzigkounakis G

Cureus 2025; (17(11)):e96752 doi:10.7759/cureus.96752.

Cauda Equina Syndrome-A 2025 Narrative Review.

Conte A, Jain R, Lingham A, Mueller M

British journal of hospital medicine (London, England : 2005) 2026; (87(4)):52970 doi:10.31083/BJHM52970.

Dry Needling and Exercise in the Treatment of Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review.

Salazar-Arias MP, Gómez-Carmona CD, Azofeifa-Mora C, et al.

Sportverletzung Sportschaden : Organ der Gesellschaft fur Orthopadisch-Traumatologische Sportmedizin 2026; doi:10.1055/a-2825-6294.

Proportion of Myofascial Pain Syndrome Among Patients with Diagnosed or Suspected Fibromyalgia: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study.

Hadano T, Sugiyama Y, Yoshida H

Journal of pain research 2026; (19()):604512 doi:10.2147/JPR.S604512.

The Effect of ACT on Experiential Avoidance and Pain Acceptance: A Study on Women with Myofascial Pain Syndrome.

Yadollaee S, Zanjani Z, Alvani SR, Jalalati N

Journal of pain research 2026; (19()):593631 doi:10.2147/JPR.S593631.

Immediate Effects of Dry Needling in Patients with Myofascial Temporomandibular Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Durmaz N, Gözler S, Demircioğlu G, Burma K

Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) 2026; (14(14)) doi:10.3390/healthcare14142189.

Inhibition of the AMPK/PGC-1α/Mfn2 Axis is Associated with Mitochondria-ER Dysfunction and Ultrastructural Remodeling in a Rat Model of Myofascial Trigger Points.

Yu S, Huang W, Su H, Jiang F

Journal of pain research 2026; (19()):615596 doi:10.2147/JPR.S615596.