[Tender points and trigger points--differences and similarities]

Abstract

Two main types of myalgia that are not inflammatory are fibromyalgia (FB) and myofasical pain (MFP). In both of them during diagnosing tender points (characteristic for fibromyalgia) and trigger points (MTrP--characteristic for myofasical pain) are of key importance. A great degree of similarity together with the inability to differentiate between those points result in wrong diagnosis and, as a consequence, failure of therapy. Additional difficulties are caused by the lack of unity in nomenclature, as in literature the term tender point and trigger point are used interchangeably. Moreover, some centres question the existence of fibromyalgia and myofascial pain as separate pain entities.