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 Myofascial pain syndrome is thought to be a form of muscle pain. It may result from a single trauma to a muscle or from repetitive minor trauma over time. There is no laboratory, radiographic or other diagnostic tests to prove the diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome so it is considered a “subjective” diagnosis. Many patients with myofascial pain develop “trigger or tender points”, which may be felt as "knots" of tissue under the skin. At the Virginia Spine Institute, an experienced physician will help to determine whether painful regions are indicative of myofascial pain syndrome. When trigger points are present and active, they can lead to discomfort in nearby muscles.
CAUSES
While this topic is hotly debated amongst experts, leading theories state that painful trigger points develop in susceptible muscle tissues that are overworked for long periods of time. These muscles develop focal regions, or knots of increased contraction. These focal areas are not able to get proper blood flow. The contracted fibers close down nearby capillaries that supply individual fibers with essential nutrients and oxygen. Because the blood flow is insufficient, muscle fibers are unable to rid toxic waste products (e.g. lactic acid) that build up during normal resting metabolic states. A chronic cycle of pain ensues in the affected tissues which is difficult to break. A trigger point or “knot-like” band of muscle that may be palpated beneath the skin and cause pain.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms usually involve pain in the muscle itself or in the muscle near a painful joint. Over time, this pain may spread to involve other muscles and tissues. This is typically described as “referred pain” because when pressure is applied to the painful trigger point, pain radiates to other parts of the body. Usually, but not always, this pain is felt nearby to the trigger point. Stress, poor sleep and physical deconditioning have a significant effect on worsening symptoms.
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