Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is the official name for muscle pain, which is not neurological in nature.
It is the most common clinical problem since 80% of patients visiting orthopedic and pain clinics suffer from this Syndrome.
Specifically, Myofascial Pain Syndrome is inflammation and pain in the soft tissues of the body. The Syndrome is called Myofascial, since the pain is focused on the muscles and the fascia, a thin cloth of soft connective tissue that surrounds the muscles.
The pain is mainly located in a specific area, e.g. you may only feel the pain in your shoulder or in your jaw.
This pain always has two main trigger points.
During the diagnosis, the specialist will apply pressure to find these two different types of trigger points:
- the dead point, an inactive area that triggers pain at another point.
- the active point, which is particularly sensitive to pain, local or peripheral.
Dr. Travell, during the 1940s and 1950s, conducted research, the results of which she published in a textbook on myofascial pain, which she defined as a “trigger point.” This trigger point is a sensitive area within the muscle that, if irritated, through inflammation, it can cause pain, which the patient, however, feels in some other place.
This observation makes sense if you think about it, since if you are sore in a certain muscle or group of muscles, it is natural to try not to use that muscle or group of muscles too much, and as a result you end up over-straining another muscle or another muscle group.
Because there is no specific imaging test for the diagnosis of Myofascial Syndrome, its diagnosis requires the required experience and knowledge on the part of the specialist.
It is established by locating the aforementioned sensitive points within the muscle, during palpation of the patient.
The doctor, in addition to the patient’s history, will check his body posture, as well as the way he walks.
Alternative names
Until the term Myofascial Pain Syndrome prevailed today, many different names have been used in the past to describe the same clinical problem, such as: fibromyitis, fibromyositis, myoperitonitis, soft tissue rheumatism, rheumatic myalgia, idiopathic myalgia, myofascial pain.
Myofascial Syndrome & Fibromyalgia
Myofascial Pain Syndrome is often confused with Fibromyalgia. Myofascial Pain Syndrome is a completely different clinical entity from Fibromyalgia, but it can coexist with Fibromyalgia and other chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Symptoms
The main symptom of Myofascial Pain Syndrome is muscle pain at both trigger points (latent and active).
The pain may be accompanied by:
- Exhaustion
- Depression
- Other behavioral disorders
- Disorders such as tension headache and temporomandibular disorder
Causes
Myofascial Pain Syndrome is caused by:
- muscle injury
- overactivity of a muscle or group of muscles (e.g. from repetitive movements at work or in sporting activities)
- lack of activity of a muscle or group of muscles (eg, when the arm or leg is broken, therefore immobilized in a splint)
- Metabolic and endocrine disorders (e.g. hypoglycaemia)
- Sleep Disorders
- Allergies
- Visceral diseases
- Psychological disorders (eg depression). This works as a vicious circle, since in times of intense stress the symptoms of the Syndrome worsen.
- Bad posture
Treatment
The treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome is multifaceted and individualized for each patient.
It can combine:
- Drug therapy (such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or opioid drugs)
- Non-pharmacological treatment which may include
- Non-invasive techniques, such as low intensity laser therapy
- Invasive techniques, such as acupuncture and anesthetic injections
- Physiotherapy and chiropractic techniques such as myofascial release therapy and therapeutic massage
- Kinesiotaping method, where a special elastic band is applied to the affected areas
- Physiotherapy, with exercises for strengthening and more endurance
In these techniques, the treatment is always local. With their application, the pain and the intensity of the spasm are reduced, while the elasticity of the soft tissue is increased.
- Psychotherapy, for better stress management tactics, to deal with psychological disorders
In most cases, a combination of treatments such as myofascial release therapy, massage therapy supplemented with psychotherapy sessions will be needed. It is highly recommended to avoid medication, even aspirin, while the needling treatment lasts.
Energy
Pain in the body manifests, regardless of external physical cause, when there is accumulated mental pain, which has not been expressed and is looking for an outlet to be externalized, discharged and healed.
Your body is affected by your thoughts and emotions. No matter how hard you try to “hood” your pain, it will block the energy in your chakras and somehow manifest itself.
Look for what traumatic experience of yours this pain may be coming from.
Ask yourself which bitterness you hid, which disappointments you kept silent, which repressed “forgot”. Find the courage to bring them back to the surface, because whatever you’re trying to hide, your body knows it and imprints it with pain. The body doesn’t forget, like you.
Express your pain creatively, paint it, write about it, sing about it.
Find activities that fill you with joy. Laugh your heart out. Play like a child. Dance.
Get good posture when sitting, walk with your head up and your feet firmly planted on the ground, confident. Do your every move consciously, until it becomes a habit.
Bring meditation into your life to look within with love and peace. Dispel fear and pain with your deep breaths, breathe in light and peace. Send the color you want to the point of your pain to calm and heal it.
Use your precious healing crystals. Let them heal you with their unique qualities, they have the power to take your pain away.
Repeat out loud, many times, the positive affirmations that will give you courage and restore joy within you:
- I learn from pain and release it
- I take care of my body, I love myself
- I fill my body with joy
You are your own best healer. Locate your point of pain, mentally, thank it for the lesson it taught you, and release it to feel joy again, in your soul and body.
Energy Healing – Your Growth Guide
Body, soul and mind are one in both the problem and the solution. Therefore, treating your pain can only be done holistically. Come let us locate your pain point and release the blocked energy in your chakras. Together we will choose the energy treatment that suits you and take your journey to joy step by step. Your treatment will work in addition to any medication and therapy you are following. No medications are provided.