CHEONG, DENOVE, ROWELL & BENNETT
> Injury Definitions

Myofascial Pain

Myofascial Pain is a painful disorder that can affect any skeletal muscles in the body. Myofascial Pain is responsible for many cases of chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Myofascial Pain can cause local or referred pain, tightness, tenderness, popping, clicking, stiffness, limitation of movement, local twitch response, and muscle weakness. Trigger points are classic signs of Myofascial Pain. An active trigger point is an area that refers pain to a remote area in a defined pattern when local stimulation is applied. Criteria for identifying an active or latent trigger point include: palpable taut band; exquisite spot tenderness of a nodule in a taut band; patient’s recognition of current pain complaint by pressure of the tender nodule; painful range of motion stretch of the involved muscle. Myofascial Pain can cause significant reduction in quality of life and can cause lost time from work.

Physical therapy can be used to treat Myofascial Pain. The therapy focuses on correction of muscle shortening by targeted stretching, strengthening of affected muscles, and correction of aggravating postural and biomechanical factors. Physical therapy can be useful in decreasing pain so that the patient can participate in an active exercise program. Pharmacological treatment includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and anti-depressants. Treatment of the condition becomes more difficult as chronicity increases.

For related information go to: Chronic Pain Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Pain, and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy.

At Cheong, Denove, Rowell & Bennett, we believe the more you know, the better choice you will make. www.CDRB-InsuranceBadFaith.com

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