Myofascial pain, also called myofascial syndrome, is a muscle pain that occurs when a specific point of the body is pressed. It feels a rebound and causes local pain that radiates to other parts of the body.
Trigger point formation can typically be related to several factors, such as poor posture at work, excessive exercise, repetitive movements, or strokes, for example. This type of pain is more common in the back, shoulders and neck and can be easily treated with stretches, physiotherapy and changes in habits.
- Symptoms of myofascial pain tend to get worse with movement or exercise.
- But when the injury persists for more than 12 weeks.
- Pain and discomfort can occur even when the person is resting.
- Other signs and symptoms of myofascial pain include:.
Diagnosis of myofascial pain may be made by your doctor or physical therapist by palpation and observation of the painful place, but although imaging tests are not necessary, the physical therapist may perform certain tests that show painful syndrome.
Several factors can lead to the formation of trigger points, which may be due to psychological factors such as changes in the body or as a result of blows, as well as being strongly related to situations related to the professional activity that is performed.
As a result, stress, excessive fatigue, changes in sleep and tension, as well as repetitive posture and movements can lead to trigger point formation, in addition, these points can form due to strokes, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, muscles. problems or after surgery, for example.
The treatment of myofascial pain should be performed by the orthopedist and physiotherapist, with the aim of relieving pain and discomfort through the use of medications, stretching techniques and myofascial relaxation, which are practiced during physiotherapy sessions.
The main recommended forms of treatment are
Your doctor may guide the use of pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or dipirone, or anti-inflammatory drugs, such as diclofenac, which can be used in the form of pills, ointments or lotions, as well as muscle relaxants, such as cyclobenzaprine. In some cases, your doctor may indicate infiltration with a saline solution directly to the triggering point or use of fluoromethane spray or ethyl chloride, which also ensure good results.
Putting on a hot compress for about 20 minutes at a time is a good way to relieve muscle pain, it is possible to use this strategy 2 to 3 times a day and immediately afterwards, it is necessary to do the stretching, because in this way, the removal of trigger points can occur more efficiently.
It consists of performing exercises that are used to stretch the muscle and the entire affected area for 30 seconds to 1 minute at a time. Stretching can be done passively, that is, when someone else holds the leg or arm to stretch the muscle, or actively. when the person stretches the muscle.
Tightening and rubbing the muscle and trigger point are also techniques indicated to combat myofascial pain. In order to reduce pain, the skin may peel off the muscle during a massage.
Choosing to use balls or rollers is also a good strategy to eliminate trigger points that cause myofascial pain. Learn how to use self-masking rollers to combat pain.
In addition, people can also use acupuncture, cryotherapy, or electrotherapy with the use of TENS, ultrasound, or laser to minimize pain caused by trigger points. There are several different techniques that can be used to combat this pain and massages and self-massages. They’re excellent.