HEAL Workshop on Myofascial Pain

NCCIH and NIBIB have co-organized an upcoming NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative workshop, “Quantitative Evaluation of Myofascial Tissues: Potential Impact for Musculoskeletal Pain Research.” This virtual workshop will take place Sept. 16-17 and is free and open to the public. 

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS)—pain originating from muscles and/or associated soft tissues such as fascia—affects an estimated 30 to 85 percent of patients with musculoskeletal pain. Compared with those of the skeletal and central nervous systems, the contributions of myofascial components to this kind of pain are mostly unknown. Many patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain develop side effect issues with opioids, don’t respond to surgery, or both. Myofascial tissues are among the last “unturned stones” for research on the tissue types involved in musculoskeletal pain. 

The workshop’s focus is research and technology opportunities for addressing MPS. Presenters include clinical research experts, imaging and biomechanics experts and computational modelers. In addition to the leads, NIH partners in this trans-NIH meeting are NIAMS, NICHD, NIDCR and NINDS. Registration is required. To register or to view the agenda, visit http://conference.novaresearch.com/MyofascialPain.