Chronic myofascial pain is a type of lingering pain that affects the connective tissue of a muscle or group of muscles. When it comes to myofascial pain, there are areas known as trigger points that are usually in the fascia or in a tight muscle. Luckily, myofascial pain often settles with treatment.
Possible causes of myofascial pain
The exact cause of chronic myofascial pain is still unknown. In some cases, it can start after:
- An injury or strain to the ligaments, muscles or tendons
- Using a muscle that was not used for some time such as after a stroke or a fracture
Indications
The characteristic symptom of chronic myofascial pain is continuous muscle pain in the neck, low back, shoulders and the chest. The individual will feel the pain or it becomes worse if a trigger point is pressed. The muscle might be swollen or hard. The other symptoms include the following:
- Muscle that is tender or sensitive when touched
- Feeling of weakness in the affected muscle
- Muscle pain is triggered upon pressure on a trigger point
- Pain that is burning, aching, stabbing or stinging
- Diminished range of motion in the affected area
Individuals with myofascial pain might develop other health issues such as tension headaches, fatigue, depression and sleep issues. These are quite common among those who have chronic pain.
Management
A doctor should be consulted so that proper treatment for the pain can be started. The usual treatment might include any of the following:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy – the individual is guided on how to change his/her negative thoughts about pain
- Cooling spray – this involves a cooling spray administered directly on the skin from the trigger point to the sore area and slowly stretching the muscle. The process can be repeated several times.
- Massage therapy
- Hypnosis
- Physical therapy – this includes stretching and strengthening exercises
- Ultrasound
- Trigger point shots – a needle is inserted into the trigger point and a local anesthetic is injected
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
The doctor might also recommend the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen. These medications can help alleviate the symptoms. Just be careful by reading the instructions on the packaging.
In some cases, the doctor might prescribe an antidepressant or muscle relaxant to help with sleeping issues and relax muscles linked to myofascial pain.