Myofascial Pain Syndrome is a chronic muscular pain disorder. This syndrome is a disorder in which pressure on sensitive points in the muscles causes pain in seemingly unrelated body parts. Myofascial Pain Syndrome often occurs after a repeated injury, muscle overuse or if a muscle has been contracted repetitively.
During the stages of life, we all suffer from muscle aches or severe pain from time to time. Having pain in our muscles is not irregular or uncommon. If the pain doesn’t subside after rest, massaging of the muscle or other self-care measures, make an appointment with your Chiropractor or Health Care Professional.
The symptoms of Myofascial Pain Syndrome may include:
- Deep and aching pain in a muscle
- Pain that is persistently present or worsens
- Pain may also be experienced in the back, in a muscle, mouth, face or neck
- A tender knot in a muscle
- Fatigue
- Muscle Spasms
- Stiffness or tenderness near the affected muscle
- Difficulty sleeping due to pain
- Sleep disturbances
- Sensitivity to touch on affected muscle
What causes Myofascial Pain Syndrome?
Sensitive areas of tight fibres can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse. These sensitive areas are called trigger points. A trigger point in a muscle can cause strain and pain throughout the muscle. When the pain persists and worsens doctors call it Myofascial Pain Syndrome.
Risk factors that contribute to the Myofascial Pain Syndrome are:
Stress and Anxiety can cause increased muscle tension leading to significant Myofascial Pain.
Muscle Injury – Stress on your muscles can cause trigger points to form
Inactivity – If you have been inactive due to surgery or after a stroke, you may experience trigger points in your muscles during the recovery period
Age – Myofascial Pain Syndrome is more common amongst middle-aged adults.
Gender – Woman are more likely to experience these types of pain syndromes.
What are the treatment options available for Myofascial Pain Syndrome?
There are several treatment options available. In this article, we will be looking at Dry Needling.
What is Dry Needling?
Dry Needling, also known as Intra Muscular Stimulation (IMS) is a process which involves the insertion of acupuncture needles into muscles in order to alleviate pain and stimulate healing. Dry Needling and acupuncture both make use of fine needles however, that is where the similarities end. The Dry Needling technique is not based on Chinese Medicine but on the expansion of the trigger point injection techniques. Dry Needling is injected into the deeper tissues unlike acupuncture which focuses on acupunctural pressure points.
Dry Needling consists of the use of a thin needle either solid filiform needles or hollow-core hypodermic needles for the treatment of muscle pain related to Myofascial Pain Syndrome. Dry Needling is a treatment technique where the needle is inserted into the muscle to assist with decreasing pain and improving function through the release of myofascial trigger points also known as knots in the muscles.
This latest treatment option, Dry Needling is a very safe treatment option that involves 2 – 3 sessions per patient but will not need more than 5 – 6 sessions except in very rare cases. Often we will use Dry Needling once or twice per week out of the 2 – 3 sessions.
Most patients agree that Dry Needling doesn’t hurt in the way that you might think. Not only does Dry Needling therapy reduce pain by resolving muscle knots, undergoing this therapy also means you can return to your regular physical activity and no longer be hindered by painful knots and trigger points.
Other conditions treated with Dry Needling includes:
- Tennis Elbow
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Joint Problems
- Tendinitis
- Migraine and Tension-type headaches
- TMD
- Whiplash
- Spinal Problems
- Pelvic Pain
- Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
These conditions can all be treated by Dry Needling. Don’t hesitate, make your appointment today at Centurion Chiropractor.
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