National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) Practice Test

Which clinical sign is often associated with myofascial pain syndrome?

1. Altered sensation

2. Deep tendon reflex changes

3. Trigger points

4. Muscle atrophy

The correct answer is: Trigger points

Myofascial pain syndrome is characterized by the presence of trigger points, which are hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that can cause pain and referred pain in specific patterns. These trigger points can often be palpated and may be associated with muscle tightness or tenderness. The identification of trigger points is a key feature in diagnosing myofascial pain syndrome, as they are fundamental to its pathology. When considering the other options, altered sensation may be seen in various neurological conditions, but it is not specifically a hallmark of myofascial pain syndrome. Deep tendon reflex changes are typically associated with neurological disorders affecting the motor or sensory pathways, rather than myofascial conditions. Muscle atrophy can occur due to disuse or innervation issues but does not directly relate to the symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome itself. Therefore, the presence of trigger points is the defining clinical sign that strongly correlates with this syndrome.