Disordered sleep in fibromyalgia and related myofascial facial pain conditions.

Myofascial pain and fibromyalgia have a recognized relationship to sleep disturbances. Understanding the comorbidity of these entities helps the practitioner, physician and dentist alike, be better prepared to manage the causative factors related to these conditions rather than treating only the symptoms. The increasing recognition of the coexistence of fibromyalgia, myofascial pain in the head and neck region, and the presence of temporomandibular disorders further increases the need for the dentist to be aware of sleep as a contributory factor from the diagnostic and the therapeutic aspects. This awareness results in more comprehensive management and an improved opportunity for optimal patient management as well as improved sleep and diminished pain levels.