Myofacial Pain Syndrome: Meaning, Diagnosis and Overview

What is Myofacial Pain Syndrome?

It is a painful condition that affects the muscles and the sheath of the tissue called the fascia that surrounds the muscles. This tissue may tighten and contract putting painful pressure on nerves, muscles, bones, or organs. The area where the injury occurs is referred to as a trigger point. It may feel like a knot or band in the muscle. MPS usually develops between ages 20 to 40 and is more common in women and people with sedentary (requiring sitting or little activity) lifestyles. It is also known as chronic myofascial pain.
Myofascial pain syndrome may resemble fibromyalgia syndrome and has sometimes been referred to as regional fibromyalgia

Recovery Time

The pain may be acute (short time) or chronic (long lasting). Acute MPS resolve within 4 to 6 weeks of proper treatment.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is done by Methodical physical examination.

FAQs prepared by doctor

Q1.  What is Myofascial pain syndrome?
It is a painful condition that affects the muscles and the sheath of the tissue called the fascia that surrounds the muscles. This tissue may tighten and contract putting painful pressure on nerves, muscles, bones, or organs. MPS usually develops between ages 20 to 40 and is more common in women and people with sedentary (requiring sitting or little activity) lifestyles.
It is also known as chronic myofascial pain.
Myofascial pain syndrome may resemble fibromyalgia syndrome and has sometimes been referred to as regional fibromyalgia

Q2.  What is Myofascial Pain?
Myofascial is a word derived from the words myo which means muscle, and fascia which is the connective tissue that covers and intertwines with muscle. Myofascial pain is generated by hyperactive small areas of irritability in muscle, tendon, or its associated fascia that are called myofascial trigger points.

Q3.  What is a trigger point?
The area where the injury occurs is referred to as a trigger point. It may feel like a knot or band in the muscle. Trigger points form in muscle, tendon, and fascia. When muscles contract they shorten. A trigger point is a part of the muscle that got stuck in a contracted state. It is also a place where the autonomic nervous system interacts with the muscle to set its baseline of tension.

Q4.  What causes a trigger point to develop?
Trigger points are usually associated with some degree of mechanical abuse of a muscle in the form of muscle overload. The abuse or injury can be from repetitive strain and micro trauma, crush injury, sudden strain, bone fracture, and other mechanisms. The overload may be acute, sustained, and /or repetitive. Leaving the muscle in the shortened position can convert a latent trigger point to an active trigger point particularly if the muscle is contracted in the shortened position.

Q5.  What shall one do when suffering from MPS?
One should go for physiotherapy, massage and get enough sleep and rest





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