How I Cured My Myofascial Pain Syndrome?

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a long-term pain condition that affects the muscles and thin connective tissues around them called fascia. It can cause referred pain in the highly sensitive muscle areas that are painful to touch. Myofascial pain syndrome is common and can affect people of any age.

However, it is more common in older adults or athletes who do hard physical labor. Some risk factors for this condition include vitamin B deficiencies, stress, poor posture, depression, and repetitive motions. This condition can be treated with exercise, proper rest, physical therapy, massage, and pain medicines. Wondering what causes MPS and what are its symptoms? Well, keep reading to learn more.  

Overview Of Myofascial Pain Syndrome

The myofascial is a condition that can appear in any body part and it causes chronic pain in multiple myofascial trigger points and connective tissues. It is a very common condition and the experts estimate that over 85%of the population will experience it at some point in their lives. One experiences pain when there is pressure in the muscles and thin covers of tissue that hold the muscles in place.

Sometimes, the pain can be felt in other parts of the body, resulting in shoulder pain, face pain, headaches, and back pain. This condition does not often go away on their own and needs treatment. Seek medical help if you notice that the muscle pain does not go away with rest or self-care measures. 

Symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome

Some of the symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome include;

• Chronic muscle pain.
• Tiredness.
• Trouble sleeping due to pain.
• Tender knot in muscles.
• Persistent pain that gets worse over time. 
• A general feeling of unwellness. 
• Weak muscles. 
• Reduced range of motion. 

What causes myofascial pain syndrome?

Various factors cause myofascial pain syndrome, including;

• Repetitive motions- repetitive hobbies or motions at work can lead to myofascial pain syndrome. For example, hammering, sitting at a computer, or tilting your head forward to text on the phone. 

• Poor posture- poor posture is one of the most common causes of myofascial pain syndrome. It is important to keep a good and proper posture to prevent conditions like this. 

• Traumatic events- motor vehicle accidents, injuries, or other traumatic events can lead to myofascial pain syndrome. 

• Stress- emotional stress or anxiety can cause tension in the muscles, leading to conditions like myofascial pain syndrome. 

• Weak muscles- weak muscles are another common cause of this condition.

• Structural factors- structural factors like osteoarthritis, scoliosis, and spondylosis can lead to myofascial pain syndrome.

• Bruxism- clenching or grinding the teeth called bruxism can cause this condition. 

• Certain medications- medications like oral contraceptive pills can lead to complications like MPS.

• Systemic factors- many factors like vitamin D deficiency, hypothyroidism, iron deficiency, and other metabolic and hormonal issues can cause this condition. 

• Prolonged exposure to cold- some might experience MPS from prolonged exposure to cold. 

• Smoking- smoking is a habit that can cause myofascial pain syndrome. 

• Lack of muscle activity- lack of muscle activity from having a cast on the leg can cause this condition.

Curing myofascial pain syndrome

There are various ways to cure myofascial pain syndrome, such as;

• Physical therapy- exercises like stretching and strengthening help improve range of motion and ease pain.
• Ultrasound therapies- MPS can be treated using sound waves by penetrating the muscles. 
• Massaging can help ease the condition.
• Trigger point injections are used to treat MPS. A thin needle will be inserted into the trigger points, which boosts blood flow and relieves pain.
• Acupuncture is a safe and easy way to ease MPS.
• Anti-inflammatory diets- following a Mediterranean diet can help reduce inflammation and ease the condition. 
• Applying cooling spray to the trigger points will help stretch the muscles relax.
• Using ice packs can relieve pain from MPS.
• Taking vitamin D supplements can ease muscle pain if MPS is caused by vitamin D deficiency. 
• Cognitive behavioral therapy can help increase activity and change negative thoughts about pain. 
• Over-the-counter medications.
• Soaking in warm water. 

Conclusion

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a long-term pain condition that affects the muscles and thin connective tissues around them called fascia. It is a common condition that can appear in any body part and affects people of any age. The experts estimate that over 85%of the population will experience it at some point in their lives. Some of the symptoms of this condition include chronic muscle pain, tiredness, weak muscles, reduced range of motion, tender knots in muscles, trouble sleeping due to pain, and general unwellness. 

MPS does not often go away on their own and needs treatment. Its treatments include physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, over-the-counter medications, ice packs, and ultrasound therapies. Even though MPS cannot be reversed its symptoms can be managed with treatment. It can be caused by various factors like poor posture, repetitive motions, stress, traumatic experiences, certain medications, and too much exposure to cold. So, maintaining a good posture, following an anti-inflammatory diet, and reducing stress can help prevent and ease MPS symptoms. 

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