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What
is Myofascial Pain Syndrome?
The definition of myofascial = muscle + fascia (the connective
tissue sheath that lies between the skin and muscle and that
also planes between muscles). Myofascial Pain Syndrome is commonly
known as chronically tight and painful muscles in a specific
area with characteristic "trigger points" (knots) in the muscle.
These trigger points can either cause localized pain or referred
pain to other areas i.e. leg, shoulder, arm, hand etc..
What are trigger
points?
They feel like knots or ropey tissue in the muscles. Trigger
points develop due to abnormal stress placed upon the muscle
(either overload or repetitive stress) and/or due to an incomplete
healing process. The accumulation of lactic acid and muscle
metabolism waste products help to form the trigger point and
the reduced blood flow which develops perpetuates the trigger
point complex. A true trigger point is either locally painful
or will elicit a referred pain pattern to a distal (away from
the site of the trigger point) location (i.e. down the thigh
or arm).
What problems
do they cause?
PAIN, DYSFUNCTION, DISABILITY. Trigger points also restrict
freedom of movement by tethering on spinal and extremity joints,
thereby causing joint dysfunction.
How do I know
if I have Myofascial Pain Syndrome?
If you have chronic, regionalized or referred muscular type
of pain you could develope a myofasical pain syndrome. This
condidtion is initially caused by poor posture,injury, trauma,
repetitive/overuse of a body part, lack of exercise and/or poor
nutrition or metabolic disease.
How can Myofascial
T.P's best be treated?
We use specific muscular release therapy to break up T.P's,
decrease the tension in taunt muscle fibers and increase the
blood flow to the area to accelerate the healing process. Studies
have shown this is the best treatment for myofascial trigger
points. Ultrasound and acupuncture may also be helpful for resolving
chronic muscular problems. We frequently incorporate these treatments
as well as chiropracitic manipulation, prescribed aerobic exercise
and stretching exercises to bring more oxygen, blood flow and
nutrition to the affected muscles. Myofascial pain syndrome
typically doesn't resolve with medication or muscle strengthening
alone. Medication often just hides the pain and can actually perpetuate the condition by not treating the root cause of the condtion. Chiropractic care and myofascial release can resolve the condition, or at least, greatly improve it.
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What
is Myofascial Pain Syndrome?
