Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Get the facts about fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome.

Living with fibromyalgia or myofascial pain syndrome can feel like chasing an invisible enemy: one that moves, flares, and refuses to be pinned down. Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome helps you finally make sense of it all. A resource for anyone looking to learn more about fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome, this book explores the condition through both scientific and practical lenses.

Drawing on decades of research and personal experience, Devin Starlanyl introduces a clear definition of fibromyalgia and explains how it connects with myofascial pain syndrome. This foundation leads to a practical treatment framework that simplifies care for providers and empowers patients to take an active role in recovery.

You’ll learn how trigger points contribute to widespread pain and how to locate and release them effectively. Through clear explanations and practical self-care strategies, Starlanyl shows that better function and lasting relief are within reach.

Inside you’ll find the following:

• A new, research-based definition of fibromyalgia and a straightforward framework for treatment
• Trigger point maps and anatomy-based guidance for identifying pain sources
• Tools to address perpetuating factors such as posture, sleep, and stress

Clinical and complementary interventions such as dry needling, acupuncture, myofascial release, frequency-specific microcurrent, and sleep restoration are also explored. Pinpointing and managing perpetuating factors is a key discussion in many cases of fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome. By introducing a clinically grounded method for identifying lifestyle, biomechanical, and metabolic contributors that affect fibromyalgia symptoms, you can prevent recurrence and improve long-term pain outcomes.

Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndromeempowers individuals living with these chronic conditions and guides the professionals who treat them.

Audience

Individuals and medical professionals seeking information and guidance on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome.

Part I. Theory and Practice
Chapter 1. Fibromyalgia 101: How We Got Here
Fibromyalgia: What Is It, and Why Is There Confusion?

Chapter 2. Fibromyalgia: Follow the Science

Chapter 3. Trigger Points 101: Points of Interest

Chapter 4. Fascial Changes: What the Research Means
Where the Pain and Stiffness Begin

Chapter 5. MPS and FM Come Together
Chicken and Egg

Chapter 6. Our Genes Don’t Fit Right: Genetic Factors
Why the Guai? Guaifenesin and the Uric Acid Connection
Methylation
The Tryptophan-Kynurenine Pathway
Thyroid Dysregulation and Peripheral Thyroid Resistance
Insulin Resistance: A Spoonful of Sugar Makes the Symptoms Go Up?
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Circadian Cycle Dysfunction
Pain Control: Genetics Again?

Chapter 7. Cognitive Deficits: More than One Cause
Temporal Lobe Activation: A Flare for Change?
Cell (Mobile) Phones
Solar Flares

Chapter 8. To Dream, Perchance to Sleep?

Chapter 9. Perpetuating Factors: What Initiates, Aggravates, and Perpetuates Myofascial Trigger Points
Paradoxical Breathing
Poor Posture
Body Asymmetry
Morton’s Foot
Unsuitable Shoes
Disproportion
Obesity
Nutrition and Associated Factors
Coexisting Conditions
Immobility/ Static Postures
Psychological Factors
Stress
Allergies and Sensitivities
Hormonal Imbalances
Abuse of Muscles
Pain Itself
Environmental Factors
Inappropriate Care/Exercise
No End to Perpetuating Factors?

Chapter 10. Taking Care of Yourself: Self-Treatment
Mindwork
Pacing
Bodywork

Chapter 11. Treating You Right: Treatments by Others
A World of Possibilities
Chronic Means What It Says
Specific Therapies by Others
What Medication Options Can Help?

Postscript. Take Back Your Life and Move Forward

Part II. The Gallery
Chapter 12. Introduction to the Gallery
Anatomy Figures
Referral Pattern
How to Hunt and Find Your TrPs: The Art of Palpation

Chapter 13. Head and Neck Muscles
Trapezius
Sternocleidomastoid
Masseter
Temporalis
Medial Pterygoid
Lateral Pterygoid
Digastric
Omohyoid
Other Hyoid and Anterior Neck Muscles
Cutaneous Facial Muscles I
Cutaneous Facial Muscles II: Occipitofrontalis
Extrinsic Eye Muscles
Splenius Cervicis and Splenius Capitis
Posterior Cervical Muscles
Suboccipital Group

Chapter 14. Shoulder, Arm, and Hand Muscles
Levator Scapulae
Scalenes
Supraspinatus
Infraspinatus
Teres Minor
Latissimus Dorsi
Teres Major
Subscapularis
Deltoid
Coracobrachialis
Biceps Brachii
Brachialis
Triceps Brachii and Anconeus
Wrist Extensors and Brachioradialis
Finger Extensors
Supinator
Palmaris Longus
Wrist and Finger Flexors in the Forearm
Adductor Pollicis and Opponens Pollicis
Interosseous, Lumbricals, and Abductor Digiti Minimi

Chapter 15. Trunk Muscles
Pectoralis Minor
Pectoralis Major, Subclavius, and Sternalis
Intercostals
Diaphragm
Serratus Anterior
Serratus Posterior Superior and Inferior
Paraspinals
Abdominals
Quadratus Lumborum
Psoas Major, Psoas Minor, and Iliacus
Pelvic Floor Muscles

Chapter 16. Hip, Thigh, and Knee Muscles
Gluteus Maximus
Gluteus Medius
Gluteus Minimus
Tensor Fasciae Latae and Iliotibial Band
Piriformis, Obturator Externus, Obturator Internus, Gemelli, and Quadratus Femoris
Quadriceps Femoris and Sartorius
Adductors
Hamstrings
Popliteus

Chapter 17. Leg and Foot Muscles
Tibialis Anterior
Tibialis Posterior
Gastrocnemius
Fibularis (Peroneus) Longus, Brevis, and Tertius
Soleus and Plantaris
Long Toe Extensors
Long Toe Flexors
Intrinsic Foot Muscles

Appendix. Plotting the Pain

Devin J. Starlanyl is an internationally recognized educator, author, and advocate in the fields of fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome. With formal education in emergency medicine and a background in public health, she combines scientific insight with firsthand experience of living with fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome.

A former president of the Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain Institute, Starlanyl was mentored for many years by Dr. David G. Simons, a pioneer in myofascial medicine. She has written more than 100 articles for national and international publications and is the author or coauthor of several influential books, including Healing Through Trigger Point Therapy: A Guide to Fibromyalgia, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction (with John Sharkey), Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual (with Mary Ellen Copeland), and The Fibromyalgia Advocate.

Through her writing, teaching, and outreach—including her long-standing website for fibromyalgia and myofascial pain education and educational online communities—Starlanyl helps bridge the gap between lived experience and clinical understanding to improve care for people with chronic pain.