Mycoplasma infection and muscle pain: fact or fantasy?

Leon Chaitow, Editor

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

Volume 6, Issue 4, October 2002, Pages 203-204

Leon Chaittow provides a very interesting summary of the role of Mycoplasma infection as a cause of muscle pain, in the latest issue of The Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. Mycoplasmas are primitive bacteria that do not possess a cell wall, and Mycoplasma infections have been linked with patients suffering from Fibro Myalgia Syndrome (FMS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and 'Gulf War' syndrome. An increasing interest is being shown in the role of this bacteria in musculoskeletal conditions.

There is much controversy amongst experts who have studied the role of Mycoplasma bacteria in musculoskeletal pain. Those who believe Mycoplasma bacteria have a role in CFS and FMS advocate long term antibiotic treatment to help alleviate symptoms. However, other experts disagree with this approach because the evidence between cause and effect is tenuous. They argue that the existence of Mycoplasma bacteria in these patients is coincidental, or even a result of dysfunctional tissue resulting from these conditions. Further research will hopefully shed more light on the causes of these conditions and determine the possible role of bacterial infection in chronic musculoskeletal pain.

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