Masticatory muscle pain is the second most frequent cause of orofacial pain after dental pain. Myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome (MPDS) is the most common form of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. MPDS is a pain that triggers from [sensitive] points in the muscles and fascia and is followed by spasm, tenderness to palpation, restricted movement, fatigue, and sometimes dysfunction. The researchers intended to collect comprehensive information about therapeutic interventions for myofascial pain through the conduction of a critical study based on evidence in the literature. In this review, 51 English articles, published between 1981 and 2013, were extracted from PubMed, Medline, Ovid, and Google Scholar. These articles were then reviewed in detail in two categories, namely pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical treatments. MPDS treatment should be first focused on the identification and correction of underlying causes. Thiocolchicoside (TCC), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and Cox-2 inhibitors are among promising pharmaceutical methods. On the other hand, ultrasound and laser therapy are among promising non-pharmaceutical methods. The complex mechanism of MPDS, along with its underlying peripheral and central nervous mechanisms may make MPDS, difficult to treat, especially in its chronic form.
