Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Myofascial Pain Syndrome; It is called a kind of soft tissue rheumatism that causes muscle spasms, especially in the striated muscle groups (mostly in the neck and back muscles), which is localized or widely felt in the body. Reflected pain can be seen by touching trigger points on the shoulder, neck or back. Along with pain, tenderness and muscle weakness occur.

*Causes of Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Although the exact cause is not known, the following risk factors are important factors in the formation of the disease;

Posture disorders

People who work at desks and especially those who use computers stay sedentary for a long time.

Stressful and sedentary lifestyle

psychosomatic disorders

Various vitamin and mineral deficiencies

neuroendocrine disorders

chronic diseases

Trigger Points in Myofascial Pain and Reflections of Pain (pain felt areas)

*What are the clinical complaints? 

As a result of spasm in the muscles in which myofascial pain syndrome is seen, small nerve endings remain under pressure and capillaries are compressed. Afterwards, severe, continuous and burning pain begins to be felt in the area. Restriction in joint movements, tension in the muscles as a result of spasm, general weakness and fatigue accompany the pain. Increasing factors are; stress, cold weather, infections and irregular sleep.

*Diagnosis of Myofascial Pain Syndrome

The increase in sensitivity when pressure is applied to the pain areas of the patient who comes with general pain complaints and especially the appearance of this sensitivity at the trigger points may be specific for the diagnosis. As a result of finger pressure, the pain may spread to other areas.

*Treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome

The aim of the treatment of this disease is to eliminate the pain that occurs at the trigger point and spreads around. The important thing is to determine the symptoms according to the patient’s complaints and to determine the treatment accordingly.

It is the most logical way to start with physical therapy first. The primary step in pain treatment is to break the spasm and pain circulation at the trigger point with medical massage and various heat treatments to the area. In addition, exercises aimed at relaxing the muscle can also be applied.

Dry needling to relieve pain, injection applied to the trigger point under local anesthesia, prolotherapy and various injection types are applied to the appropriate patient population.

In myofascial pain syndrome, analgesics and muscle relaxants that will reduce pain and muscle spasm play a role in effective treatment.