Myofascial Pain Capitola
Myofascial Pain
Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic pain disorder that affects the muscles and connective tissues (fascia) that surrounds them. With this syndrome, pressure, or stress on sensitive areas in your body (trigger points) causes pain and may also affect other muscles throughout your body (referred pain). Myofascial pain can strike anyone at any time in their life. While nearly everyone has experienced muscle tension pain, the discomfort associated with myofascial pain syndrome persists or worsens.
Symptoms are different for each person suffering from myofascial pain syndrome. Some of them are sleep disturbances, deep pain in localized muscles, painful knots, and muscle pain that worsens or fails to improve with time.
What Causes Myofascial Pain?
Experts don’t exactly understand the cause of myofascial pain syndrome. However, they believe it may be linked to psychological stress, muscle injury, muscle strain, repetitive muscle use, and skeletal abnormalities. A combination of contributing factors may include:
- Poor posture
- Sitting for a long time in awkward positions
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Lack of exercise or movement
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Intense cooling of muscles
- Hormonal changes
- Lack of sleep
- Generalized fatigue
- Emotional problems
- Other pain or inflammation conditions
Myofascial pain and trigger points can develop in any muscle in the body. However, the most affected muscles are those in the upper back, shoulder, and neck.
We Help Myofascial Pain
Myofascial pain is linked to triggering points; a comparison with fibromyalgia often rises. While myofascial pain is in one specific area, fibromyalgia pain is felt throughout the entire body.
Myofascial pain is often undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or overlooked because it is hidden in other types of diagnoses such as neck and shoulder pain. That is why it’s essential to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced doctors who can properly diagnose the difference and apply the proper treatment. Our doctor will perform a physical exam by applying gentle finger pressure to the painful areas. Finding and using force to a trigger point will result in pain at the immediate spot or an area a short distance away.
Living with myofascial pain syndrome can be a challenging condition to live with. Fortunately, most pain, including myofascial pain, can be reduced, or eliminated with the right treatment plan. So, schedule an appointment to discuss the various treatments and lifestyle remedies to handle this condition at Harbor Health Center.