No they are different but also at the same time can appear similar.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myofascial_pain_syndrome#MPS_versus_Fibromyalgia

MPS versus Fibromyalgia

MPS may be related to a closer-studied complex condition known as fibromyalgia. By accepted definition, the pain of fibromyalgia is generalized, occurring above and below the waist and on both sides of the body. On the other hand, myofascial pain is more often described as occurring in a more limited area of the body, typically around the shoulder and neck, and often on only one side of the body.
Neither MPS nor fibromyalgia is thought to be an inflammatory or degenerative condition, and the best evidence suggests that the problem is one of an altered pain threshold, with more pain reported for a given amount of painful stimuli. This altered pain threshold can be manifest as increased muscle tenderness, especially in the certain areas, e.g., the trapezius muscle. These syndromes tend to occur more often in women than in men, and the pain may be associated with fatigue and sleep disturbances.

http://backandneck.about.com/od/chronicpainconditions/f/myofascialfibro.htm

Summarizing the Differences Between Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Fibromyalgia
As we have seen, fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome are two very different problems. Fibromyalgia is a widespread pain syndrome accompanied by fatigue and muscle tenderness. These symptoms are not associated with inflammation. Treating fibromyalgia is often multidisplinary, for example, you may need gentle to moderate exercise, counseling, and anti-depressants all at the same time. Myofascial pain, on the other hand, is the condition of muscles that occurs when trigger points cause reduced functioning in soft tissue, and pain. Myofascial pain syndrome benefits from treatments that are physical in nature, such as manual medicine and restorative movement aimed at improving postural alignment.

Research also supports the use of injections as a way to relieve pain from trigger points. For people with tender points alone however, treatment with injections has not shown to be very effective. This is one notable difference between fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome as published in medical literature. So, if you are considering injections for myofascial pain or for fibromyalgia, ask your doctor for more information.

Myofascial pain syndrome is defined by trigger points, which are felt as taut bands of muscle. The trigger points refer pain to other (nearby) locations in the body. When pressed, trigger points illicit a twitch response, also known as a jump sign. One of the main characteristics of myofascial pain syndrome is that the pain is regional, or confined to a limited area of the body. Generally, myofascial pain will be found in the shoulders, neck, arms, face, low back and/or legs.

Fibromyalgia is also known as chronic widespread pain. This type of pain is usually felt in all four limbs and in the trunk. The American College of Rheumatology classifies chronic widespread pain as fibromyalgia if it is also accompanied by the confirmed presence of at least 11 out of 18 (pre-identified) tender points. These tender points are 1 centimeter areas in specific muscles which are very sensitive to the touch. Pain from tender points is local, that is, it goes no further than the tender point itself.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Thanks guys !! I sure wish theyd find better treatments for both Im tired of feeling 90

okay now I am confused. My medical files say myofascial pain, fibromyalgia and chronic pain.
I was told that chronic pain and FM are different. The doctor told me I have knotted muscles which indicate chronic pain. I was also diagnosed with FM. But the treatment you described I have had and that report from that pain centre stated myofascial.
I do get bizarre twitching in my left hand and tremble in the arm, that is triggered by me moving my arm or by the physiotherapist putting pressure between my shoulder blades or in my underarm. My right arm has a milder tremble.
It doesn't make sense that I have all three. Ofcourse it doesn't make sense that I developed frontal lobe epilepsy from a soft tissue injury. Or that it would cause my sciolosis to get worse fast. Yet it all happened, or that I can not tolerate even the lowest levels of pain meds due to sudden allergies to most medications. I wish the medical community would make some quick advances in the pain world. It seems they have only discovered the iceberg but have not even touched the tip of it yet!
Frustrating for all of us awaiting rescue!

DOn't worry! I have been dx'd with both myofascial pain and FM and CFS too!

I tihnk myofascial pain runs in my dad's family. We have a genetic glitch that predisposes to myofascial issues. I think I always have MPS but it's usually not a problem until the FM flares. Did that make sense to anyone else? Probably not;-)

Here's MY personal take on things:

Chronic Pain: pain that can be continuous or goes away for a short period of time but always comes back. Pain can be in one spot, or all over. It can be mild to severe. I consider my Fibro, AS, CFS and my MPS to be chronic pain.

Fibro pain: wide spread, usually hitting legs, arms, back and torso but not limited to those areas. So called 18 pts (more for a diagnosis) but really, pts+ all over our bodies. Body feels like we are wearing a lead suit or just did 10 hrs of aerobics. A host of other effects such as sensitivities, nerve pain, insomnia, IBS, etc. Some get flare ups and remissions.

MPS pain: deep, knotted pain with burning and tingling. Like a pinched nerve. Always present unless you get trigger point injections or do trigger point massage. Heat or pool may alleviate symptoms.

Ankylosing Spondylitis pain: pain in about 40+ trigger points, mostly going down the spine, chest area and other joint areas. Fusing of the joints, hard to bend, walk and painful to touch. According to my doctor, 66% of Women with AS get misdiagnosed with Fibro.

Then there's a host of other types of pain...nerve pain (feels like bolts of lightning or stabbing sensation), diabetes, Arthritis (inflammation of the joints, immune problems etc.) Lupus and Chronic Fatigue and more.

PPS usually if you got one you got em all. :) I was told by PCP I have all 3 too. So dont trip potato chip. I bet some day they will find they are linked more then then think.

http://homepages.sover.net/~devstar/define.htm

this was a helpful site.

I never thought anything about fibromyalgia. I thought with fibromyalgia you always have the trigger points that were tender, achy joints, trouble getting out of bed in the morning , things like this. I thought I strictly have myofascial pain.

But the Dr. I'm seeing now seems to think I have both.
He said I can see where other doctors didn't think you had fibromyalgia because you don't have the trigger points that were tender. Because I do have trigger points, I get trigger point injections.

Good answers from all.....Just wanted to add I've gotten some good results from D-ribose in helping with the fatigue.....I only take it before noon, to avoid insomnia at night, but it has really helped me....

HUGS from down south :)