BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia are among chronic pain conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system. While fibromyalgia is a diffuse pain, miofascial pain syndrome is characterized by its localized involvement. This study aimed at reviewing the literature to identify and group information about myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia. CONTENTS: Electronic Mediline, LILACS and Scielo databases were queried in the search for articles published in English and Portuguese, using the keywords myofascial pain syndrome / síndrome de dor miofascial, fibromyalgia / fibromialgia, physical therapy in myofascial pain syndrome / fisioterapia na síndrome de dor miofascial, and physical therapy in fibromyalgia / fisioterapia na fibromialgia, published from 1991 to 2012. Twenty-nine articles were selected. CONCLUSION: Physical therapy programs promote more gains to decrease the impact of myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia symptoms on patients' lives, thus the importance of the multidisciplinary and educative work, where the physical therapist participates, accurately informing and guiding patients.
Fibromyalgia; Miofascial pain syndrome; Musculoskeletal system