By Tania Schwarz, LMT, MMP

Muscle that have been injured or traumatized that never goes through standard healing process develops a situation called Myofacial Pain Syndrome or MPS, where the affected area gets locked into a repeating pain-spasm cycle developing myofascial trigger points. Trigger Points are small areas of hyperirritability within muscles, often located in a tight band of muscle fibers. The development of trigger points is accompanied by the characteristic referred pain pattern and the restriction of motion associated with myofascial pain.

MPS affects man and woman of all ages but taper off with advancing age regardless if sedentary or physically active.

The diagnosis of MPS is usually arrived at after a thorough pain history, physical examination, postural and movement analysis and palpation of active trigger points.

MPS does not have to be a long-term problem if treated correctly. However, finding the correct treatment is the challenge that many practitioners encounter.

Eradication of trigger points is the top priority and is accomplished in a number of different ways including massage in the form of static pressure followed by manipulation of the surrounding bands of muscle tissue, the application of cold while stretching the muscle and adding moist heat to increase circulation to the affected muscle. Other available approaches are injections of anesthetics and dry needling (acupuncture). Muscle relaxants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have not been found to be effective at reducing the pain caused by trigger points.