What is the hallmark characteristic of Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS)?

The hallmark characteristic of Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is local and referred pain from myofascial trigger points. These trigger points are hyperirritable spots within a taut band of skeletal muscle and can cause pain in the muscle itself as well as referred pain in other areas of the body. Understanding this characteristic is crucial because the presence of these trigger points is what differentiates MPS from other types of pain syndromes.

The pain experienced is not limited to the area where the trigger point is located; it can also radiate to other regions, which is an essential feature of myofascial pain. This referral phenomenon is often confused with pain originating from other structures, such as nerves or joints, but in MPS, the pain is primarily muscular in nature.

In contrast, other options describe pain mechanisms or characteristics that do not match the defining features of MPS, such as generalized muscle soreness, which does not imply the presence of trigger points, or localized pain without trigger points, emphasizing that trigger points are integral to MPS diagnosis and understanding.