What Is Myofascial Pain and How Can I Treat It?

When your muscles are tense for too long, it can result in pain that makes everyday movements difficult. When this pain becomes chronic, you may have a condition known as myofascial pain syndrome.

AABP Integrative Pain Care specializes in managing pain from chronic conditions like myofascial pain syndrome. Our skilled providers take a whole-person approach to ease pain and prevent its cause from worsening.

Here, we outline some of the pain management therapies we offer to stay on top of myofascial pain.

Causes of myofascial pain syndrome

Myofascial pain syndrome develops after one or more muscles become chronically tense due to repetitive movements. These movements may be a requirement of certain sports or hobbies you engage in or a part of your job.

You might also be prone to myofascial pain syndrome if you experience a muscle injury that causes a trigger point to form. A trigger point describes an overly tight, knotted muscle that can’t relax on its own. Persistent stress and anxiety can also contribute to myofascial pain syndrome.

While the discomfort of occasional muscle tension typically goes away in a few days, myofascial pain syndrome symptoms don’t. In addition to muscle pain, you might also experience:

• Palpable muscle knots
• Deep muscle aches
• A sense of unwellness (malaise)
• Difficulties sleeping due to pain

Some people with myofascial pain syndrome may also be at increased risk for fibromyalgia, a chronic condition that causes widespread body pain. This may be due to brain differences that make certain people more sensitive to pain signals.

Pain management options for myofascial pain syndrome

AABP Integrative Pain Care specializes in the latest advancements in pain management therapies. Your provider customizes a care plan to your symptoms' severity and general health. They may recommend minimally invasive treatments like:

Medications

Pain relievers, muscle relaxers, and antidepressants are beneficial for existing pain relief and can also prevent additional episodes of pain.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy can teach you gentle stretching exercises that help relax tense muscles and trigger points.

Massage therapy

Deep tissue and other therapeutic massage techniques are beneficial for relieving stress and tension from tight muscles. You may also consider regular massages to keep muscles from getting too tight.

Intravenous (IV) infusion therapy

Our pain management specialists can formulate an IV infusion containing medications like lidocaine to relieve chronic pain. We can also add extra fluids to rehydrate your tissues and essential vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes to revitalize your energy levels.

4 prevention tips to lower your risk for myofascial pain syndrome

While there’s no way to guarantee you won’t develop myofascial pain syndrome, there are steps you can take to lower your risk for the condition.

1. Be mindful of muscle injuries

If you play sports or engage in other high-impact activities, take precautions to prevent sprains and other muscle injuries.

Wear protective gear if needed and take time to rest and recover after strenuous activity.

2. Lower your stress levels

Make the lifestyle changes necessary to reduce your daily stress levels to prevent muscle tension from building up.

Incorporating breathing exercises, yoga, and other relaxation techniques into your routine can lower your risk for tension-related pain. Exercise can also help you burn off excess stress.

3. Eat a well-balanced diet

A healthy, well-balanced diet gives your body the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Shop for fresh, organic produce and other nonprocessed foods, and limit sugar and caffeine.

Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is important to keep your muscles and other soft tissues hydrated.

4. Improve your sleep habits

Sleeping 7-9 hours each night is critical to maintaining your health and can prevent unnecessary muscle tension.

Follow a bedtime routine that ensures you get enough sleep each night. If you have trouble sleeping because of existing muscle pain, speak with our team about your options for pain relief.

Call AABP Integrative Pain Care in Brooklyn or Garden City, New York, today to schedule a consultation for myofascial pain syndrome or book an appointment online.