Description

Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic pain disorder. In this condition, pressure on sensitive points found in muscles (trigger points) elicits pain in the muscle and often refers to other areas of the body. Sometimes confused with fibromyalgia, it is its own clinical entity. It is overlooked as a cause of muscle and joint pain, however it is found in large segments of the population. The work of Janet Travell, MD, the first female White House physician, helped pave the way to the understanding of myofascial pain syndrome, its diagnosis and treatment. Trigger points usually develop in the taut, ropey parts of muscle. There are multiple factors that contribute to their development to include overuse of muscles, nutrient deficiencies, trauma, stress, poor posture and hormonal problems just to name a view. Treatment also varies, cold light laser, deep tissue massage, muscle scraping, ice, ultrasound, laser and spray and stretch.