What is Myofascial Pain?

The Basic Definition…

The word myofascial means muscle tissue (myo) and the connective tissue in and around it (fascia). When stressed or injured, muscles form trigger points - like bunched-up knots (see illustration) - that cause pain and tightness.

Establishing the Presence of Trigger Points 

A skilled practitioner who has been trained to recognize the symptoms of myofascial pain and palpate muscles for myofascial trigger points can assess whether myofascial trigger points are present. There are no commonly available lab tests or imaging studies that can confirm the diagnosis at this time. Myofascial trigger points can be seen on special MRI scans and special ultrasound but these are currently only used in research.

Common Types of Myofascial Pain 

A diagnosis of Myofascial Pain Syndrome or Chronic Myofascial Pain means that myofascial trigger points are the primary source of your symptoms. Sometimes trigger points are present secondarily to other sources of pain, such as arthritis or bulging discs. These trigger points may be fully or partially causing the painful symptoms attributed to these conditions. As such, they are often called "the great mimickers".

Diagnoses associated with myofascial trigger points include:

• Back pain
• Headaches
• Neck pain
• Frozen shoulder/Rotator cuff pain
• Jaw pain (TMJD)
• Tennis elbow
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Hand and arm pain
• Repetitive Strain Injuries
• Pelvic pain
• Hip pain
• Sciatica
• Leg and knee pain
• Plantar fasciitis (foot) pain
• Tendinitis
• Bursitis
• Arthritis
• Disc pain (bulge/rupture/herniation) and radiculopathy
• Fibromyalgia