TERMINOLOGY

• Muscle pain
• Muscle inflammation
• Painful muscle spasm
• Fibrositis

INTRODUCTION

Myalgia refers to muscle pain. It is a symptom of many disease and disorders. Spinal muscle pain is usually the result of a strain/sprain, muscle overuse or muscle spasm secondary to pain arising from one or more of the supportive elements of the back. Myalgia may be temporary or chronic. When multiple muscle groups are involved the condition may be referred to as polymyalgia.

Muscles are surrounded by specialized sheets of fibrous tissue referred to as fascia. The fascia serves as a barrier between adjacent muscle groups and other tissues. It helps promote efficient movement of the muscles between each other and other structures. When inflammation develops within the facsia it is often referred to as fibrositis. An injury and inflammation can adversely affect the facsia and spare the associated muscle. If there is inflammation of the facsia and the underlying muscle the condition may be referred to as myofascitis.

PREVALENCE

Myalgia is very common. Most individuals will experience some form of localized or focal myalgia during their lifetime. It represents a common symptom associated with overworked muscles and a simple strain/sprain. It is often experienced as the result of muscular guarding or spasm secondary to a painfull degenerative joint or a painfull degenerative region of the spine.