Myofascial Pain Syndrome

What is myofascial pain syndrome?

Most people have muscle pain from time to time. However, myofascial pain is a kind of ongoing or longer-lasting pain that affects the connective tissue (fascia) of a muscle or group of muscles. The pain is concentrated around sensitive points in your muscles referred to as trigger points. Myofascial pain syndrome often goes away with treatment.

What are the symptoms?

The main sign of myofascial pain syndrome is ongoing, longer-lasting muscle pain in areas such as the lower back, neck, shoulders and chest. Any pressure on the trigger points may cause the pain the get worse. Other symptoms of myofascial pain may include:

• A muscle that is sensitive or tender when touched
• Muscle pain that happens with pressure on a trigger point
• Pain accompanied by an aching, burning, stinging or stabbing sensation
• Reduced range of motion in the affected area
• A feeling of weakness in the affected muscle

Additionally, people with myofascial pain syndrome often have other health problems such as tension headaches, depression, sleep problems and fatigue.

How is myofascial pain syndrome diagnosed?

To diagnose myofascial pain syndrome, Dr. Adenwala will ask if you have had a recent injury to the area of sensitivity, how long you have had the pain, what makes it better or worse and whether you have additional symptoms.

She will also give you a physical exam. During the exam, she will apply pressure to different areas to pinpoint the pain. Other tests may be necessary to see if the pain is a result of some other condition.

What causes myofascial pain syndrome?

Although the exact cause of myofascial pain syndrome is not known often, it may start after strain or injury to muscles, ligaments or tendons. The using muscles you have not used for a while such as after a stroke or a broken bone can also bring on Myofascial pain.

What are the treatment options?

The treatment for myofascial pain syndrome usually consists of medication, physical and behavioral therapy. Talk to your doctor about the best way to treat your pain. Typical treatments may include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Cognitive-behavioral therapy can teach you how to change negative thoughts about pain. This therapy can also help you be more active.
• Cooling spray. A cooling spray (such as Biofreeze) is applied directly on the skin from the trigger point to the painful area while gently stretching the muscle. This may be repeated several times.
• Massage therapy
• Physical therapy
• Trigger point injections. Medicine such as a local anesthetic is injected into the trigger point by a physician.
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
• Ultrasound