| What is Myofascial Pain(MP)? If it feels like your | | | | or force is placed upon the trigger point itself or |
| muscles are literally in knots, and pressing on | | | | to the soft tissue structure where the latent |
| those knots creates pain someplace else on your | | | | trigger point is located. Key TP's have pain referral |
| body, then you are more than likely experiencing | | | | patterns that activate or create a Latent trigger |
| MP, also known as Myofascial Pain | | | | point along a nerve pathway. Key trigger points |
| Syndrome(MPS). The prefix "Myo" means muscle, | | | | also activate "Satellite Trigger Points" in other soft |
| and the suffix "Fascia" means connective tissue, | | | | tissue structures. Both must be treated in order |
| therefore the word "Myofascial" translates to | | | | to alleviate both sources of pain. Primary TP's |
| muscle and connective tissue. The word | | | | may activate Secondary TP's in other structures, |
| "Syndrome" basically means a group of | | | | and again, both must be treated in order to |
| symptoms. In essence, MPS literally means muscle | | | | alleviate both sources of pain. |
| and connective tissue pain symptoms. MPS is | | | | What does Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Trigger |
| directly related to and associated with Trigger | | | | Points Represent? It is important to understand |
| Points. | | | | that MPS and TP's represent the effect of a |
| What is the definition of a Trigger Point (TP)? TP's | | | | problem or problems, and NOT the cause of a |
| are extremely irritable knots in taut bands of | | | | problem. So what does that mean? It means that |
| muscle and connective tissue that produce a | | | | Myofascial Pain or Trigger Point were created |
| phenomena of referred pain to different locations | | | | MOST COMMONLY because of some kind of soft |
| of the body when external pressure is placed | | | | tissue injury. What causes injury in most cases? |
| upon them, hence the term "trigger point". | | | | Repetitive Stress, trauma, weakness in most |
| Where can Trigger Points be Found? TP's have | | | | cases. So is it enough just to treat the Trigger |
| different qualities and predictable pain patterns | | | | Points and Myofascial Pain? The obvious answer is |
| that can overlap and require extensive treatment | | | | a BIG NO! |
| to eliminate them. They can be found in many | | | | So then what is the best way to make sure that |
| different types of soft tissue such as muscle, | | | | Myofascial Pain and Trigger Points are treated and |
| tendon, ligament, skin, scar tissue, and joint | | | | don't return? If repetitive stress is the cause of |
| capsules. TP's points can be caused by other | | | | the problem, then the source of that repetitive |
| trigger points, direct trauma to soft tissue, | | | | stress must be alleviated to provide for a |
| infection, disease, radiculopathy, repetitive stress | | | | rehabilitative environment, or healing will never |
| injury, smoking, or psychological distress. Trigger | | | | take place. Weakness is usually a very big cause |
| points also inhibit blood flow, which can make the | | | | of the problem, and if strengthening of the wrong |
| pain worse unless treated. | | | | muscle groups are taking place in the belief of |
| How are Trigger Points and Myofascial Pain | | | | solving the problem, then that will only serve to |
| Syndrome treated? There are a few options | | | | make the problem worse, not better. A |
| when it comes to treatment of TP's and MPS. | | | | Diagnostic Pain Assessment that tests for Soft |
| Depending upon the health or medical practitioner, | | | | Tissue Palpation, Muscular Strength, Muscular |
| treatment options include low-level laser therapy, | | | | Weakness, AROM-Active Range of Motion, |
| ultrasound, dry needling, injections, spray and | | | | PROM-Passive Range of Motion, and |
| stretch using a vapocoolant spray, | | | | RROM-Resisted Range of Motion needs to be |
| electrostimulation, ischemic compression, and | | | | conducted in order to determine the most |
| medical massage therapy emphasizing the | | | | effective treatment plan for Muscles and Soft |
| specified treatment of trigger points. Stretch and | | | | Tissue that need to be Strengthened, as well as |
| spray technique is when the muscle and trigger | | | | shortened Soft Tissue Structures that need to be |
| point are sprayed with a coolant, then the muscle | | | | lengthened. |
| is slowly stretched. Myofasical therapy works by | | | | What else needs to be done at home? There is |
| stretching and loosening the fascia so it and your | | | | no way that Myofascial Pain and Trigger Points |
| body can move freely, removing pain and | | | | can be treated solely and effectively by a |
| restriction. Injections of Lidocaine can be | | | | healthcare practitioner, if repetitive stress, muscle |
| performed by Physiatrists, but keep in mind that | | | | weakness, and shortened musculature is the |
| DOMS-Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness is a | | | | cause of the problem. A sufferer of Myofascial |
| common side effect. | | | | Pain Syndrome will benefit from self-stretching |
| What are the Characteristics of Trigger Points? | | | | and strengthening, aerobic home exercises, and |
| Active TP's actively refer pain along nerve | | | | self-trigger point therapy at home to prevent |
| pathways locally or to adjacent locations. Latent | | | | recurrence of trigger point restriction, increase |
| TP's only refer pain when some type of pressure | | | | blood flow, maintain flexibility, and promote healing. |