Continuing with our
New Year, New You blog series
, here’s another very common issue that tends to act up in winters. Read on to learn more!
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
As complicated as the name sounds, this condition is one of the most common issues I come across, especially in the winters.
The research to really put that in black and white is inconclusive, but clinically, a lot of patients walk in with chronic pains that tend to flare up in the cold weather.
What Is It?
Myofascial Pain Syndrome is basically a condition where the muscles develop some painful knots or trigger points that cause pain in and around that region. These trigger points are tender to touch and cause chronic pain if not resolved early.
Why Do They Develop?
One of the most common culprits behind development of trigger points is a poor posture. Any position that puts unwanted stress on the muscles or leads to a buildup of tension within can lead to development of these trigger points. They are very common in large muscles of the hip, neck, and lower back, to name a few.
Emotional stress is also another contributor to this condition.
Symptoms
Classic symptoms include:
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Pain over the trigger point.
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Tenderness to palpation.
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Referral of pain to other areas around the trigger point: for example, a trigger point in the neck can refer pain down the spine and shoulder blade.
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Hardening of the muscle with some limitation in the range of movement.
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A dull achy pain.
What Should I Do?
One of the most effective treatment measures is the use of ice. Icing a trigger point can increase circulation around that area, leading to break down of the trigger point. Physiotherapy treatment includes, but is not limited to:
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Myofascial release
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Dry needling
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Stretching
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Electrotherapeutic modalities such a TENS or Therapeutic Ultrasound
No treatment is complete without a home exercise program that ensures that you continue the treatment even when you are not seeing the Physiotherapist.
If you have been diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome, are experiencing some of the symptoms, or just want to know more about the condition, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with your
friendly neighborhood Physiotherapist
. She will do a thorough assessment to reach a diagnosis and then create a treatment plan customized to your symptoms—
so
book that appointment now!
