Myofascial pain syndrome, a
chronic pain condition, is characterized by inflammation and pain that affects the fascia, the connective tissue that covers the body’s muscles. Many patients with this condition report referred pain, a seemingly unrelated area of pain, because of pressure on sensitive points in the muscles. These sensitive areas are commonly referred to as trigger points. The Tyler, Texas pain physicians at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler specialize in treating numerous chronic pain conditions, including myofascial pain syndrome.
This chronic pain condition typically begins after a muscle has been repetitively contracted over an extended period of time. This is often found in workers and recreational athletes that perform repetitive movements each day. Unlike acute muscle pain, the pain associated with myofascial pain syndrome becomes chronic. This health condition can also be caused by an injury to intervertebral discs, general fatigue, lack of activity (sling usage) and certain medical conditions such as a heart attack.
Symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome include a tender knot in a muscle (trigger point), deep, aching pain in a muscle, acute pain that worsens into chronic pain and difficulty sleeping because of the pain level. Many pain physicians begin treatment of myofascial pain syndrome with a physical therapy and rehabilitation program. A combination of physical therapy, massage and trigger point injections may be prescribed in more severe cases.
For additional information on
myofascial pain syndrome, a chronic pain condition, please contact the pain physicians at Pain Recovery Center of Tyler, proudly serving the greater Tyler, Texas area. You can also view our full blog article dedicated to this topic
here.