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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.
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