Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics
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J Manipulative Physiol Ther · Jul 1995
Review Comparative StudyTender points/fibromyalgia vs. trigger points/myofascial pain syndrome: a need for clarity in terminology and differential diagnosis.
This study reviews the clinical distinctions between fibromyalgia (FM) and myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), which represent two separate and distinct soft-tissue syndromes. The major aim of this article is to clarify the terminology associated with these syndromes and clearly define the parameters of differential diagnosis and treatment. ⋯ FM and MPS are two different clinical conditions that require different treatment plans. FM is a systemic disease process, apparently caused by dysfunction of the limbic system and/or neuroendocrine axis. It often requires a multidisciplinary treatment approach including psychotherapy, low dose antidepressant medication and a moderate exercise program. MPS is a condition that arises from the referred pain and muscle dysfunction caused by TrPs, which often respond to manual treatment methods such as ischemic compression and various specific stretching techniques. Both of these conditions are seen routinely in chiropractic offices; therefore, it is important for field practitioners to understand these distinctions.
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J Manipulative Physiol Ther · May 1995
ReviewMisuse of the literature by medical authors in discussing spinal manipulative therapy injury.
This study was conducted to determine how the words chiropractic and chiropractor have been used in publications in relation to the reporting of complications from cervical spinal manipulation therapy (SMT). ⋯ The words chiropractic and chiropractor have been incorrectly used in numerous publications dealing with SMT injury by medical authors, respected medical journals and medical organizations. In many cases, this is not accidental; the authors had access to original reports that identified the practitioner involved as a nonchiropractor. The true incidence of such reporting cannot be determined. Such reporting adversely affects the reader's opinion of chiropractic and chiropractors.
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The role of the cervical spine in headache remains controversial. Often confused as tension or common migraine headache, headaches arising from the neck pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Practitioners of spinal manipulation have reported very satisfactory results, although the only published randomized controlled trial did not demonstrate that manipulation was significantly helpful. ⋯ The topic of cervical headaches in general is reviewed and the current model of cervicogenic headache is critiqued. A representative case history is used to illustrate the thesis that the current model of cervicogenic headache may be too restrictive. The role of spinal manipulation as a trial of therapy in individual patients is also discussed. a retrospective diagnosis of cervical headache can often be confirmed by a successful outcome.