Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Myofascial Pain Syndrome is a chronic muscle pain that stems from a trigger point in the involved muscle. We all have muscle pains every once in a while, but myofascial pain tends to persist and remain chronic. The trigger points can be the cause for specific pains, especially; headaches, jaw pain, neck pain, low back pain, pelvic pain, arm and leg pain.

Symptoms:

• Deep, aching pain in a particular muscle
• Pain that persists or worsens over time
• Muscle stiffness
• Joint stiffness in the area of the affected muscle
• Knots or tight spots in a particular muscle that are often tender to the touch
• Sleep disruption due to pain

 Finding Relief at Home:

• Gentle, easy, and pain-specific exercises. Ask your doctor for the best exercises to perform that will help with your specific pain
• Relaxation (often anxiety and stress can worsen muscle pains)
• Eat a healthy diet with a lot of fruits and vegetables

 Treatments:

• Physical Therapy, stretching, massage
• Trigger point injections
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and anti-depressants