Trigger points and Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to the chronic pain and inflammation in the soft tissues
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to the chronic pain and inflammation in the soft tissues (muscle and connective tissue) in the body and involves either a whole muscle group or a single muscle. The pain can be caused by an injury or traumatic event that causes the development of a trigger point which causes pain in another area of the body. A trigger point is a place in a muscle that refers pain and causes problems in the muscle groups. Trigger points tend to be very tender when pressure is applied.
Symptoms of myofascial/trigger point pain may include the following:
- A tender knot in a muscle
- Deep, aching muscle pain
- Pain that worsens or persists over time
- Pain that is made worse by touch or pressure
- Tender areas on the body that cause pain in other, unrelated parts of the body
Myofascial/trigger point pain can be caused by the following:
- Injury or trauma to an area of the body
- Strain to another area of the body
- Repetitive actions
- Stress and tension
- Lack of physical activity
- Fibromyalgia
Treatment options for Myofascial pain include:
- Physical therapy
- Stretching
- Massage
- Trigger point injections with local anesthetics
- Over the counter pain medications and anti-inflammatory medications
- Spinal Manipulation
- Acupuncture
- Biofeedback and stress-reduction techniques can also help