About Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Myofascial trigger points are hyperirritable spots in the skeletal muscles. They are associated with palpable nodules in bands of muscle fibers. Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic pain disorder in which pressure on sensitive points of the muscles, known as trigger points, cause pain in unrelated parts of the body. In other words, pressure in one area of the body leads to referred pain in other areas. These trigger points are usually tender to the touch.
Those with myofascial pain syndrome tend to feel localized pain in various groups of muscles, including the lower back, neck, or jaw. Other common trigger point areas include the upper trapezius muscles on either side of your neck above the shoulders, the hamstrings, the calf muscles, and along the iliotibial band, which is the ligament tht runs along the outside of the thigh. Symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome include:
- Deep, aching muscle pain
- Persisting or worsening pain
- Tender spot in the muscle
- Difficulty sleeping due to muscle pain
Trigger Point Therapy
ProFysio Physical Therapy is able to use extracorporeal pulse activation technology, or EPAT, in order to perform trigger point therapy for some patients. EPAT is a highly effective treatment that uses a unique set of pressure waves to stimulate the metabolism, enhance blood circulation, and accelerate the healing process. We provide this FDA-approved shockwave therapy for patients in treatment sessions that take around 5-10 minutes depending on the individual’s condition and its severity. Most patients require at least three treatment sessions, divided into weekly periods. It is considered a noninvasive treatment with a success rate that is equal to or greater than traditional treatment methods, like surgery, without the risks, complications, and extended recovery time of many surgeries. This treatment works by stimulating the body to reverse the tissue to gradually regenerate and heal the damaged areas.
A trigger point is a spot in the body that is sensitive to pressure and is often associated with aching and stiffness. These spots are also informally known as knots. Even though there is not an actual knot in the area, that is what it tends to feel like. The more severe these trigger points are, the more extensive and severe the associated aching and stiffness becomes.
At ProFyio Physical Therapy, EPAT can locally treat these muscular trigger point areas and smooth the myofascial structures. This promotes treatment of large muscle regions. EPAT has a counter-irritating and pain modulating effect, and the pressure and vibrations of the radial shock waves from the EPAT work to improve blood circulation and lymphatic drainage.
Physical Therapy and Myofascial Release
In addition to the EPAT technology, many of the general exercises performed during physical therapy sessions can provide relief for those who deal with muscle aches and trigger points. At ProFysio Physical Therapy, we believe in the power of treating the body as a whole, so when a patient comes to our clinic, we will not isolate the issue of the myofascial trigger points as they might affect other issues going on in the body. Instead, we will work to gain a full understanding of the patient’s pain levels and create an individualized treatment plan to help them achieve full-body healing. Some of the treatments that might be helpful for patients who have trigger points include:
- Strength and conditioning exercises that improve the posture and correct improper body movements
- Kinesiology tape
- Dry needling
- Massage
To learn more about how to release myofascial trigger points and how ProFysio Physical Therapy helps patients find healing for chronic pain, call us at (732) 812-5200 or contact us online.