Muscle Pain: Understanding Its Nature, Diagnosis, and Treatment.

Muscle Pain: Understanding Its Nature, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Mense S, Simons DG, Russell IJ. Baltimore, MD 21201, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001, hardcover, 396 pp, ISBN: 0-683-05928-9, $54.95.

This wonderful book is the result of collaboration between 2 giants in the field of muscle pain: Dr Mense, a neuroscientist, and Dr Simons, an experienced clinician. In addition, Dr Russell, a leading authority on fibromyalgia and the editor of the Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain, has contributed sections on drug therapy and fibromyalgia.

The book was written to present an overview of the clinical diseases and syndromes associated with muscle pain and to combine the clinical view with new concepts based on neuroanatomic and electrophysiologic research. This book is suitable for anyone treating or researching muscle pain, and it fulfills its intended purpose well.

In 9 chapters, the authors comprehensively cover the basic principles of muscle pain, local pain, neuropathic pain, pain associated with muscle tension, postural and central muscle pain, pain referred from and to muscles, myofascial pain caused by trigger points, and fibromyalgia. The authors have defined confusing concepts, such as muscle spasm and muscle tone, when appropriate. Each chapter is divided into 3 sections: an abstract reviewing the chapter content, a basic science section, and a clinical section. Many chapters include a fourth section on medication management for the conditions discussed.

The book is well written and well organized, and it contains many clear pictures and schematic drawings to aid in the understanding of the material. The chapters proceed in a consistent manner from peripheral to central pain mechanisms. The information is cutting edge, and the book debunks many myths about muscle pain, such as the pain-spasm-pain cycle.

This book covers the newest information on muscle pain from both a basic science and a clinical perspective. Although readers with some background in neurophysiology might understand the basic science of various muscle pain theories better, this book is eminently suitable for physical therapists in general. With a better understanding of the role of the plasticity of the nervous system and its highly adaptable network of neurons in the pathophysiology of muscle pain, physical therapists will be able to more effectively evaluate and treat this problem.

Harriet Wittink, PT, PhD
New England Medical Center
Boston, Mass

Dr Wittink is Clinical Specialist in an interdisciplinary pain management program. She specializes in the management of patients with chronic pain, conducts outcomes research, and has coauthored a book on chronic pain management for physical therapists.