What is Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome (MPDS)?
Myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome (MPDS) is a pain disorder that is very common in oral medicine. It is a pain dysfunction that arises from the muscle, producing sensory-motor and autonomic symptoms. An autonomic symptom shows dysfunction of the nerves that regulate non-voluntary body functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and sweating. The pain dysfunction is usually a unilateral dull aching, which leads to constant pain in what are referred to as trigger zones.
Trigger zones are areas around and within the bands of the skeletal and masticatory muscles, mostly around the head and neck region. They are extremely hyperirritable points in the muscle. These zones are oftentimes stimulated or triggered by some other muscle in a distant area. The zone where all of this occurs, usually the cervical muscles, is called the Zone of Reference.
Hence, MPDS occurs as a result of trigger zones and the Zone of Reference. This causes inflammation in the skeletal muscles that involve mastication. It is safe to say that MPDS usually results in restriction of jaw movements, the development of muscle spasms due to occlusal disharmony, or parafunctional habits like tongue thrusting.
Causes of MPDS
There are the known major causes of MPDS:
Central or psychogenic cause mental illness anxiety, stress, and trauma
Peripheral or occlusal causes
Psychogenic causes
This pain is caused by stress, mental illness, or anxiety. These factors lead to changes in your occlusal habits - relating to the grinding or biting surface of a tooth, chewing patterns, lip smacking, teeth clenching, tongue biting, tongue thrusting, and bruxism. In fact, persistent tension-relieving habits can lead to an alteration or malfunction within the masticatory muscles, leading to MPDS. Sleep disturbances also affect the masticatory muscles, and the temporomandibular muscles as well.
Peripheral-occlusal causes
This is the pain caused by deep bites in the oral occlusion. It is usually caused by premature or improper contact oral malocclusion. Constant pressure posed by the masticatory muscles, causing disturbances in your chewing patterns, can lead to MPDS. Put another way, muscle fatigue leads to chewing patterns.
MPDS may also be caused by tooth loss, dental irritation, bad oral habits, prosthetic problems, and joint problems
Symptoms of MPDS
MPDS usually manifests in several ways. The most common symptoms are related to the head and neck region, mainly pain and discomfort around the area, inability to open your mouth fully, limited movement of the jaw, tenderness on palpation of muscles, and presence of joint noises when you palpate. In general, any pain in the head and neck region could be a common symptom. These symptoms are called the Cardinal signs of MPDS.
Other symptoms do not deal with the head and neck region. These symptoms are called associated symptoms because they are mostly neurologic symptoms. They include numbness, twitches, tingling, blurred visions, and lacrimation. You may also have gastrointestinal symptoms, which include nausea, vomiting, constipation, and indigestion.
MPDS also manifests in the skeletal system in the form of fatigue, weakness, and tiredness. It can also come in the form of ear pain, diminished hearing, tinnitus, and dizziness.
These episodes do not occur at the same time. Some may occur several times in a day. However, episodes often intensify due to increased emotional tension.
Diagnosis and Treatment
MPDS may be diagnosed in different ways. The most common way of diagnosis is muscle tenderness. Dentists often check for signs of unilateral pain (pain that occurs or affects only one side or part of the body), audible clicking sounds, and restricted jaw movement.
MPDS can be treated by taking prescribed drugs to reduce stress, anxiety, and pain. Drugs like analgesics, muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety, and even anti-depressants are usually prescribed. This is a more conservative way of treating MPDS. However, extreme cases of MPDS may require surgical procedures, usually the removal of the faulty tooth, reshaping, repositioning of the disturbing tooth, or replacement using orthodontic processes.
Some dentists try to study the muscles to know exactly where the problem is coming from, then offer treatments. Acupuncture is also applied in the treatment of MPDS.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Does MPDS Have a Cure?
Yes, MPDS has a cure. Aside from the treatments explained above, MPDS could be cured through stress management. Stress is the major cause of all masticatory problems. However, stress relief exercises like good sleep, yoga, and enough rest can be used to cure MPDS.
Alternatively, you can also ice and heat the area you feel the pain, which is usually within the head and neck region.
How Long Does MPDS Last?
There is no specific duration for MPDS. If you are showing signs of MPDS, visit the dentist as soon as possible. After proper diagnosis and treatment, the pain and discomfort will stop.
How Do I Know I Have MPDS?
There are several signs and symptoms of MPDS. The most common symptom is the feeling of dull, aching pain within the head and neck region. Also, if you find yourself displaying any of the occlusal symptoms, like teeth clenching and tongue biting, it is advisable for you to seek medical treatment after diagnosis.
Citation
Indian J Pallet Care (2017, April 23). The Possible Role of Meditation in Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A New Hypothesis. National Library of Medicine.
Corinne O'Keefe Osborn (2018, August 16). What Is Myofascial Pain Syndrome? Healthline.com. https://www.healthline.com/health/myofascial-pain.
