Understanding Myofascial Pain

Myofascial pain syndrome is a common condition characterized by chronic pain and discomfort in your muscles and the tissue (fascia) surrounding your muscles. This condition often gets misunderstood, but relief is possible with proper understanding and management.

Take a moment to learn more about myofascial pain and how Bradley A Silva, MD, and the team here at Lakeshore Pain and Spine Center in Kenosha, Wisconsin, can help you get relief.

What is myofascial pain?

Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in your muscles and fascia. “Myo” refers to your muscle, while “fascial” refers to your fascia. You’re probably familiar with the function of your muscles, but what does fascia do? Fascia is the connective tissue that surrounds your muscles.

When you have myofascial pain syndrome, your muscles and the fascia are inflamed and hurt. Myofascial pain is aching or throbbing. You might also notice: 

• Muscle stiffness and tension
• Trigger points 
• Muscle weakness 
• Reduced range of motion

To compound matters, people with myofascial pain syndrome may also struggle with headaches (from all of the muscle tension!), poor sleep, stress, anxiety, and depression.

What causes myofascial pain?

A variety of factors can cause myofascial pain, including:

Overuse or injury

Repetitive movements or activities that strain a specific muscle can lead to the development of myofascial pain. This issue is more common in people who engage in activities that require repetitive motions, such as typing, lifting, or playing sports.

Poor posture

Your posture is more than just “looking confident.” Proper posture helps keep your whole body in proper alignment. Poor posture can contribute to musculoskeletal pain, pinched nerves, and headaches.

Whether you sit at a desk for long hours or are on your feet for hours each day, always practice good posture to keep your entire kinetic chain in proper alignment. 

Emotional stress

Stress and tension can manifest physically. That’s why you might get headaches when you’re stressed.

Emotional stressors such as anxiety, depression, or unresolved trauma can contribute to the development or exacerbation of myofascial pain.

Structural issues

Musculoskeletal structural issues — such as osteoarthritis and scoliosis — can also contribute to myofascial pain. With osteoarthritis, for example, the cartilage that cushions your joints gradually wears down over time, which leads to joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. 

As your joints become damaged, nearby muscles may compensate by tensing up or becoming overactive. This compensation mechanism can lead to muscle imbalances, trigger points, and myofascial pain in the surrounding muscles.

Is it the same as fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain are both chronic pain conditions, but there are differences between the two conditions. Fibromyalgia is more likely to contribute to irritable bowel and swelling than myofascial pain. Myofascial pain is also more likely to be localized, whereas fibromyalgia pain is more generalized.

Treating myofascial pain

If you’re dealing with chronic pain, Dr. Silva’s first step is to confirm the source of your pain. There isn’t a specific test that confirms myofascial pain. Dr. Silva diagnoses myofascial pain after reviewing your symptoms and examining your muscles. When palpating your muscles, Dr. Silva looks for taut bands of muscles and trigger points.

If myofascial pain syndrome is the source of your symptoms, Dr. Silva may recommend medication, trigger point injections, physical therapy, and relaxation techniques. You might also benefit from manual therapy, which includes massage and myofascial release.

Questions? If you have muscle pain, don’t brush it off. Give us a call at 262-484-4035 or click here to get started.