TheMyofascial Pain Syndrome

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Myofascial Pain Syndrome is a nervous system condition characterized by pain in body muscle tension points (trigger points). The discomfort of the condition is normally felt in unrelated areas of the body and is caused by the repeated contraction of muscle tissue. About all suffer from myofascial pain syndrome as a result of muscle stress at work or during activities and desires. There are a variety of signs as well as recovery options for the condition. This paper investigates the disorder’s signs, laboratory tests, and recovery options.

Major Signs of Myofascial Pain Syndrome

The following are major signs of myofascial pain syndrome: deep muscle aches with pain that persists, difficulties in sleeping, and tender knots in the aching muscles. Since the disorder can affect any muscle in the body, the symptoms are localized depending on the affected body muscle. However, in all cases of the syndrome, the pain is deep and never wears out even after first-aid care such as the use of an ice press, heat or resting. In extreme cases of the syndrome, knots can be felt upon touching the skin over the affected muscle (Jenner, 2015). Doctors recommend that upon experiencing any of the above symptoms, one should rest and only see a physician if the pain persists. Repetitive use of a muscle causes its muscle fibers to wear out particularly in the trigger points. This causes pain when the muscles continue being used before they are completely healed. Myofascial Pain Syndrome arises from a number of factors. One factor is the stressing of muscles through overworking them causing muscle injury. Another factor is anxiety and stress. Stressing conditions lead to developing of trigger points in body muscles that cause muscle strain and pain (Nix, 2015).

Diagnosis of Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Doctors diagnose the disorder through physical examination of the specific muscles that the patient reports (Mense, 2014). The examinations involve feeling the muscles to check for knots and evidence of over contraction or stress. However, in most cases, the affected muscles show no physical evidence such as reddening or swelling. To eliminate other causes of muscle pain, doctors may recommend extensive tests of the muscle such as electromagnetic radiation scans to check for breakage of fibers or complications in the contraction and expansion of the muscles. The diagnosis of the condition also involves deep conversation between the physician and the patient on the extremity of the pain and the actions that the patient was doing when the muscle pains started.

Treatment Procedures for Myofascial Pain Syndrome

There are a number of treatment procedures for Myofascial Pain Syndrome. The most common procedure involves the use of painkiller medicine. Most painkillers available in pharmacies can be used to cure the pain in the muscles. If the pain persists after the use of painkillers, doctors can recommend strong pain relievers administered orally or by physical placement on the affected muscle (Jenner, 2015). In extreme cases, numbing agents are injected using a hypodermic needle into the trigger points of the aching muscles. Steroids can also be used in this procedure. Another treatment procedure for the muscle disorder is dry needling. This is the procedure where a hypodermic needle is inserted into the trigger points via several points. The empty needle helps relieve the buildup of tension in the muscles leading to relief from the pain or discomfort (Nix, 2015).

References

Jenner, C. 2015. Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome. Little, Brown UK 160 p.

Mense, S. 2014. Muscle pain: Understanding the mechanisms. Berlin: Springer 322 p.

Nix, W. A. 2017. Muscles, nerves, and pain: A guide to diagnosis, pain concepts, and therapy. Berlin: Springer 194 p.