Dr. Adams' Alabama Headache Blog

A recent discussion in regards to the testing for an association between rhythmic masticatory muscle activity during sleep, as assessed according to polysomnographic criteria for sleep bruxism, and myofascial pain, as well as the chance of occurrence of myofascial pain in patients with sleep bruxism. Most myofascial pain patients reporter mild or moderate pain (46.67% and 43.33%, respectively), and only 3 (10%) reported severe pain. Pain duration ranged from 2 to 120 months (mean 34.67+/- 36.96 months). Significant associations between daytime clenching and myofascial pain. Sleep bruxism is significantly associated with myofascial pain; although sleep bruxism represents a risk factor for myofascial pain, this risk is low; and daytime clenching probably contstitutes a stronger risk factor for myofascial pain than sleep bruxism.