Myofascial pain syndrome can be excruciating to live with. This chronic condition causes pain in the muscles and other body areas, known as referred pain. The condition is caused by overuse, injury of the muscle or stress. When a muscle is repeatedly contracted, it can develop a trigger point made of a sensitive group of muscle fibers. This trigger point causes pain when pressure is applied. When this condition increases and continues, it is called myofascial pain syndrome, and treatment can help relieve the continual pain.
Defining Myofascial Pain
The fascia in the body is connective tissue, mostly collagen, which surrounds and holds in place the organs, bones, nerves, muscles and blood vessels. It stabilizes everything in the body. The fascia is multilayered and flexible. However, when the fascia is injured or overworked or under prolonged stress, it can become tight and dry, losing flexibility and creating pain.
Symptoms of myofascial pain can include deep pain in a muscle that persists or even gets worse over time, a muscle knot that is tender to the touch and trouble sleeping due to pain. The constant pain can lead to deep fatigue. Like all chronic pain, left untreated, myofascial pain can lead to depression and other mental health issues.
Treating Myofascial Pain
There can be several components to treat myofascial pain syndrome, including nutrition, pain medication, antidepressant medicine and sedatives. In addition, therapy includes massage, stretching, heat and ultrasound therapy.
Myofascial release massage is a specialized type of massage that helps to release the tightened fascia and the muscle knots. This type of massage differs from the common kneading and stroking generally associated with massage. Instead, a myofascial release technique uses sustained pressure on the afflicted area to stretch and loosen the fascia and cause the knot to let loose and relax. Myofascial release techniques are beneficial to most people to treat the syndrome.
Contact Ortho Sport and Spine Physicians to find out more about treating your myofascial pain syndrome. Our caring, concerned staff will examine you and discuss your medical history to diagnose and treat your myofascial pain and help you return to normal living with lessened or eliminated pain.
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