Within spinal pain , patients with neck pain were found to have the highest prevalence rates of MTrPs .
The trapezius descendens , levator scapulae , and suboccipitales muscles were the most prevalent locations for active MTrPs in patients with neck pain .
Latent MTrPs were present in asymptomatic people , but no significant differences were found in the prevalence rate of latent MTrPs between patients with spinal ( neck ) pain and healthy controls .
The only study investigating prevalence of MTrPs in different localizations of the same muscle reported no significant differences in prevalence between active and latent MTrPs within the trapezius descendens muscle .
Studies examining pathophysiological mechanisms underlying MTrPs demonstrated an acidic environment , high concentration of algogenic/inflammatory substances , stiffer muscle tissue , retro grade diastolic blood flows , spontaneous muscle activity at rest , and loss of muscle contractibility in muscles with MTrPs .
Altered central processing was also found to play a role in the development of MTrPs .
Myofascial trigger points are a prevalent clinical entity , especially in patients with neck pain .
Evidence was not found to support or deny the role of MTrPs in other spinal pain .
Compelling evidence supports local mechanisms underlying MTrPs .
OBJECTIVE A systematic review was performed to evaluate the existing evidence related to the prevalence , incidence , localization , and pathophysiology of myofascial trigger points ( MTrPs ) in patients with spinal ( back and neck ) pain .
Prevalence of myofascial trigger points in the hip in patellofemoral pain.
OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of myofascial trigger points ( MTrPs ) in the gluteus medius ( GMe ) and quadratus lumborum ( QL ) for subjects with patellofemoral pain ( PFP ) , and to examine the relationship between MTrPs and force production of the GMe after treatment . DESIGN R and omized controlled trial . SETTING A physical therapy clinic . PARTICIPANTS Subjects ( N=52 ; mean age ± SD , 30±12y ; mean height ± SD , 172±10 cm ; mean mass ± SD , 69±14 kg ) volunteered and were divided into 2 groups : a PFP group ( n=26 ) consisting of subjects with PFP , and a control group ( n=26 ) with no history of PFP .  INTERVENTIONS Patients with PFP received trigger point pressure release therapy ( TPPRT ) . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Hip abduction isometric strength and the presence of MTrPs . RESULTS Prevalence of bilateral GMe and QL MTrPs for the PFP group was significantly higher compared with controls ( P=.001 ) . Subjects in the PFP group displayed significantly less hip abduction strength compared with the control group ( P=.007 ) . However , TPPRT did not result in increased force production . CONCLUSIONS Subjects with PFP have a higher prevalence of MTrPs in bilateral GMe and QL muscles . They demonstrate less hip abduction strength compared with controls , but the TPPRT did not result in an increase in hip abduction strength
Within spinal pain , patients with neck pain were found to have the highest prevalence rates of MTrPs .
The trapezius descendens , levator scapulae , and suboccipitales muscles were the most prevalent locations for active MTrPs in patients with neck pain .
Latent MTrPs were present in asymptomatic people , but no significant differences were found in the prevalence rate of latent MTrPs between patients with spinal ( neck ) pain and healthy controls .
The only study investigating prevalence of MTrPs in different localizations of the same muscle reported no significant differences in prevalence between active and latent MTrPs within the trapezius descendens muscle .
Studies examining pathophysiological mechanisms underlying MTrPs demonstrated an acidic environment , high concentration of algogenic/inflammatory substances , stiffer muscle tissue , retro grade diastolic blood flows , spontaneous muscle activity at rest , and loss of muscle contractibility in muscles with MTrPs .
Altered central processing was also found to play a role in the development of MTrPs .
Myofascial trigger points are a prevalent clinical entity , especially in patients with neck pain .
Evidence was not found to support or deny the role of MTrPs in other spinal pain .
Compelling evidence supports local mechanisms underlying MTrPs .
OBJECTIVE A systematic review was performed to evaluate the existing evidence related to the prevalence , incidence , localization , and pathophysiology of myofascial trigger points ( MTrPs ) in patients with spinal ( back and neck ) pain .