Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MFPS)
Myofascial pain syndrome (MFPS) is a chronic pain disorder caused by tension and sensitivity in the fascia. Fascia is thin, connective tissue surrounding all muscles—it houses small sensory nerves responsible for pain and spacial muscle awareness. Unlike temporary muscle aches, MFPS arises from fascia sensitivity and trigger points. Trigger points are tight knots in the muscle that can cause localized discomfort and refer pain to other parts of the body.
This condition often disrupts daily life, affecting mobility, posture, and overall quality of life.
What causes Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MFPS)?
MFPS can be triggered by a variety of factors, including:
- Muscle overuse or injury: repetitive motions or acute trauma can strain the fascia.
- Poor posture: prolonged incorrect positioning can cause chronic muscle and fascia shortening or elongation.
- Chronic emotional stress: holding stress in the body can heighten resting muscle tone and tension.
- Inactivity: lack of movement, often due to extended periods of sitting or recovery after an injury, can contribute.
- Nutritional deficiencies: insufficient levels of vitamins or minerals, such as magnesium or vitamin D, may exacerbate symptoms.
- Systemic conditions: thyroid dysfunction, post-radiation syndrome, connective tissue disorder, autoimmune problems, generalized hypermobility, and diabetes have been affiliated with increased fascia vulnerability.
Understanding these causes is a necessary part of the diagnostic processes, allowing us to tailor preventive and therapeutic strategies to meet our patient’s individual needs.
Symptoms of Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MFPS)
Although the symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome can vary in intensity and location, common indicators include:
- Deep, aching muscle pain: often localized but may radiate to other areas.
- Tender knots in the muscle: trigger points that are painful to compress.
- Reduced range of motion: stiffness, pain or discomfort, and difficulty moving the affected muscles.
- Muscle weakness: fatigue or inability to sustain certain activities.
- Referred pain: sensations of pain in areas distant from the actual trigger point.
These symptoms can significantly impact daily activities and overall well-being.
Diagnosing Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MFPS)
Diagnosing myofascial pain syndrome typically begins with a thorough medical history and physical examination. Before creating a customized treatment plan, our skilled clinicians will:
- Identify specific trigger points through palpation.
- Assess range of motion and muscle strength.
- Evaluate fascia with diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound.
- Rule out other potential causes of pain, such as arthritis or nerve disorders, using imaging or lab tests if necessary.
Nonsurgical Treatment for Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MFPS)
The Orthohealing Center offers several advanced nonsurgical therapies to address the root causes of MFPS. These nonsurgical options include:
- Platelet lysate therapy or platelet poor plasma (PPP): concentrated growth factors from the patient’s own blood are injected into the affected area to promote repair and reduce inflammation; a PRP biproduct, PPP can be administered concurrently with PRP, used around nerves, in muscles, for fascia hydrodissection, and for trigger points.
- Hyaluronic acid: this natural key ingredient exists between fascia planes and can be injected to dissect regions of clumpy or rigid fascia to improve gliding at the muscle-fascia interface.
- Softwave therapy or extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT): acoustic waves are used to stimulate blood flow and accelerate healing in damaged fascia.
- Class IV therapeutic laser and electromagnetic transduction therapy (EMTT): these modalities can help reduce pain and inflammation while promoting electrolyte and fluid balance across the cell membrane.
- Trigger point injections: a combination of anesthetics and regenerative agents are used to release tight knots and alleviate pain.
- Dry needling: thin needles target trigger points to relax muscle tension and improve blood circulation; 5% dextrose solution may be added to simultaneously dissect thickened fascia.
- Cell-based therapies: mesenchymal stem cells are used to restore function and support the health of potentially damaged tissue.
These cutting-edge treatments are tailored to each patient’s unique condition, offering lasting relief and improved quality of life without the risks associated with surgery.
