Do you experience aching, burning, or tenderness in specific muscle areas that won’t go away? Do you experience persistent aching, burning, or tenderness in certain muscles that won’t disappear? You might be dealing with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), a chronic condition that can make even simple daily activities feel difficult.
What is Myofascial Pain Syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a chronic condition that affects muscles and the surrounding connective tissue (fascia). It is characterized by “trigger points,” which are tight, sensitive knots in the muscle that can cause localized pain and may refer pain to other areas of the body. This referral of pain can make diagnosis more challenging. If left untreated, MPS can limit movement, disrupt sleep, and interfere with daily activities.
There are two types of trigger points:
- Active trigger points: Active trigger points cause pain even without movement.
- Latent trigger points: latent trigger points only cause pain when touched. These painful knots can lead to muscle weakness, reduced range of motion, and discomfort that may be localized or refer pain to other body areas.
In both cases, these trigger points can lead to muscle weakness, reduced range of motion, and discomfort that can be localized or spread to other body parts.
What Causes Myofascial Pain Syndrome?
The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but some possible reasons include:
- Muscle Overuse or Injury: Repeated movements or strain can create small muscle injuries that lead to trigger points.
- Changes in Blood Flow: Poor circulation may prevent muscles from getting the needed oxygen and nutrients, leading to pain.
- Nerve Issues: Nerve signals that control muscle movement may become disrupted, causing prolonged muscle contractions.
- Inflammation and Tissue Changes: The connective tissue around muscles may become stiff or inflamed, contributing to pain.
Other causes may include:
- Poor posture: Maintaining an improper sitting or standing position for extended periods.
- Stress: Emotional tension may cause muscles to tighten.
- Lack of movement: Prolonged inactivity or extended bed rest can result in muscle stiffness and discomfort.
Symptoms of Myofascial Pain Syndrome
This condition leads to muscle pain that does not go away easily and may worsen with movement or stress. The symptoms often include localized tenderness and stiffness that can interfere with daily activities.
- Localized muscle pain: A dull, aching pain that can be felt in specific muscles.
- Tenderness: Areas in the muscle sensitive to touch, especially around the trigger points.
- Trigger points: Hard, tender nodules in the muscle that cause pain when pressed. These can be either active (causing pain even without movement) or latent (only painful when touched).
- Referred pain: Pain that spreads to other areas of the body away from the trigger point.
- Muscle stiffness: Tightness in the affected muscles, which can limit movement.
- Weakness: Muscles may feel weak or fatigued, even with minor exertion.
- Reduced range of motion: Difficulty moving the affected muscle freely due to pain or tightness.
- Pain during activity: Pain that worsens with movement or certain activities.
- Sleep disturbances: Difficulty sleeping due to persistent pain.
- Sensory disturbances: Occasionally, you might feel tingling or numbness in the affected area.
Parts of the Body Involved
Myofascial pain syndrome can happen anywhere in the body, but it most often affects:
- Neck and Shoulders: Common areas for muscle knots and tension.
- Lower Back: A frequent spot for trigger points due to posture and movement.
- Arms and Legs Can be affected, especially in people who do repetitive motions.
Home Treatments for Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Heat therapy: Apply heat to the affected areas using hot packs, warm baths, or showers to help relax muscles and increase blood flow.
- Stretching: Perform gentle stretches targeting the affected muscles to help reduce tension and pain.
- Exercise: Engage in regular, gentle exercise to keep muscles active and reduce strain on your body.
- Massage: Self-massage or tools like foam rollers or tennis balls can help relieve muscle tension.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Use NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen to help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Improve posture: Choose a better chair at work and maintain proper posture to reduce muscle strain.
- Stress reduction: Practice relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, or mindfulness to manage stress and pain.
- Sleep hygiene: Ensure you get enough quality sleep, possibly by adjusting your sleeping position or mattress.
- Dietary changes: Some patients find that a high-protein, anti-inflammatory diet helps manage pain.
It’s important to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen, especially if symptoms persist or worsen.
How is Myofascial Pain Syndrome Treated?
Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic condition that causes muscle pain and stiffness due to trigger points (knots) in the muscle and fascia. Treatment focuses on relieving pain, improving movement, and preventing flare-ups.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care has been studied for its effectiveness in treating myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) and myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). Research shows that spinal manipulation and ischemic pressure—where pressure is applied directly to trigger points—can provide effective immediate pain relief.
Chiropractors may use a range of methods to address myofascial pain, including:
- Spinal adjustments: By realigning the spine and joints, chiropractors can reduce muscle tension and pain associated with MPS.
- Trigger point therapy: Chiropractors can identify and treat trigger points using manual pressure techniques, holding for about 90 seconds until the muscle releases.
- Myofascial release: This technique relieves tension and pain in the fascia, the connective tissue surrounding muscles.
- Upper cervical chiropractic care: This specialized approach targets the uppermost part of the spine, potentially reducing muscular stress and improving nervous system function.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy helps strengthen, stretch, and relax muscles to reduce pain and improve movement. Therapists use various techniques to address myofascial pain, including:
- Stretching: Gentle stretches help ease pain in sore muscles. Therapists may apply a numbing spray to the skin if trigger point pain occurs during stretching.
- Manual therapy includes myofascial release therapy, where therapists apply gentle, constant pressure to tightened areas or trigger points in the fascia.
- Dry needling: Inserting a needle into trigger points can help break up muscle tension.
- Ultrasound therapy: Sound waves increase blood flow and warmth, potentially reducing inflammation and pain in soft tissues and joints.
- Electrical Stimulation: Various forms of electrical stimulation, such as Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Intramuscular Electrical Stimulation (IMES), are used to treat myofascial pain syndrome.
TENS sends electrical currents to painful areas to reduce pain, while IMES targets trigger points by delivering currents through needles inserted into muscles.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy can help relax tense muscles and reduce pain. One study, including 80 patients, examined the effectiveness of deep tissue massage (DTM) on myofascial pain syndrome. The study found that the group receiving 12 sessions of DTM, along with TENS, hot packs, and ultrasound, showed significant improvement in pain, neck range of motion, disability, and quality of life compared to the control group.
Find Relief from Myofascial Pain Syndrome Today
Don’t let myofascial pain limit your mobility any longer. Schedule your appointment with us today to begin your journey toward pain relief! Our team is here to help you find relief and get back to living your life.
Visit us at one of our convenient locations: Financial District, Hudson Yards, Chelsea, or Nomad. Call us today at (917) 694-1565 or book your appointment online to start your path to pain relief and greater mobility!
Sources
- Bingölbali, Ö., Taşkaya, C., Alkan, H., & Altındağ, Ö. (2024). The effectiveness of deep tissue massage on pain, trigger point, disability, range of motion, and quality of life in individuals with myofascial pain syndrome. Somatosensory & Motor Research, 41(1), 11–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/08990220.2023.2165054
- Bordoni, B., Sugumar, K., & Varacallo, M. A. (2023). Myofascial pain. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535344/
- Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Myofascial pain syndrome. Retrieved [date], from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12054-myofascial-pain-syndrome
- Lam, C., Francio, V. T., Gustafson, K., Carroll, M., York, A., & Chadwick, A. L. (2024). Myofascial pain—A major player in musculoskeletal pain. Best Practice & Research: Clinical Rheumatology, 38(1), 101944. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.berh.2024.101944
- Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Myofascial pain syndrome. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myofascial-pain-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20375444
- National Spine Health Foundation. (2024, July 28). Myofascial pain syndrome. https://spinehealth.org/article/myofascial-pain-syndrome/
- Tantanatip, A., & Chang, K. V. (2023). Myofascial pain syndrome. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499882/
- Vernon, H., & Schneider, M. (2009). Chiropractic management of myofascial trigger points and myofascial pain syndrome: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 32(1), 14–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.06.012