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
- Acupuncture
- Biofeedback and stress-reduction techniques can also help
If you or a loved one is suffering from myofascial or trigger point pain, the physicians at Cedar Hill Pain and Rehab can help determine the cause and find a treatment plan that works for you and improves your quality of life.
To learn more about these therapy techniques and to find out if you’re a candidate, you can make an appointment with a physician at Cedar Hill Pain and Rehab by calling 972-291-9165 or click here.