Muscle Hyperalgesia

Muscle hyperalgesia is an increased sensitivity to pain, resulting in increased pain responses to normally non-painful stimuli. It is a common feature of musculoskeletal pain disorders and is an important indicator of the presence of central sensitization. It is generally assessed by palpation of tender points or by measuring the amount of force required to induce pain. Muscle hyperalgesia can be both wide-spreading and localized. It is often related to motor dysfunction and can be a debilitating feature of pain conditions. Understanding the role of muscle hyperalgesia in musculoskeletal pain disorders has implications for better treatments and improved patient outcomes.