Myofascial pain syndrome as a cause of thoracic pain: diagnosis and treatment

Thoracic pain caused by musculoskeletal disorders is a significant social and medical problem that significantly reduces patients' quality of life. Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is the leading cause of non-cardiac chest pain. Currently, the diagnosis of MPS is clinical and based on the nature of the pain syndrome and the detection of trigger points. However, there is considerable variability in the results of physical examinations by different specialists in the diagnosis of MPS. There is a clear need to standardise the clinical and instrumental diagnosis of MPS. The pathophysiological mechanisms of trigger point formation, clinical symptoms, and diagnostic criteria for the disease are discussed. Treatment of MPS should be comprehensive and include informing the patient about the benign nature of the disease, maintaining an active lifestyle, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants, as well as a wide range of non-drug methods, among which kinesiotherapy is of great importance. Kinesiotherapy has proven to be an effective tool for relieving and preventing pain, correcting postural disorders, and restoring functional activity in myofascial pain. Particular attention is paid to combination therapy, which combines kinesiotherapy with other methods such as myofascial release, breathing exercises, or sensory modulation techniques.

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