Myofascial Trigger Points:
Relieving Muscle Tension
Are you familiar with the sensations of tension and stiffness in your shoulders that occasionally cause pain when performing simple movements? Pain associated with movement is typically caused by irritated muscles. This issue is more common among individuals of varying ages who lead sedentary lifestyles or, conversely, engage in excessive physical activity and are prone to developing anxious states.
It may seem trivial, but gradual loss of myofascial muscle flexibility, persistent tension, and chronic pain deplete energy and reduce physical and mental efficiency.
Instead of immediately searching for symptoms of unknown ailments and replenishing your medicine cabinet with painkillers, let’s better understand the causes of myofascial pain syndrome and how to improve well-being through release therapy.
What Are Myofascial Trigger Points and Why Does a Person Experience Pain?
Myofascial trigger points are areas of increased irritability in skeletal muscles and the associated fascia. Upon palpation (pressing) of the taut band of skeletal muscle, acute pain occurs.
This condition is explained by the fact that with repetitive strain, overexertion, or improper body posture, muscle spasms known as trigger points or myofascial adhesions develop. In this area, hypoxia occurs (i.e., oxygen-enriched blood ceases to flow), disrupting the metabolic activity of muscle cells. As a result, skeletal muscle cannot contract and becomes denser.
The formation of trigger points in the human body leads to muscle fiber shortening, restricting its mobility and causing discomfort. These densifications resemble nodules that most often form in muscles performing static functions, such as neck muscles, shoulder girdle, and lumbar region. Trigger points can develop in any muscle and other tissues, such as skin, connective tissue, myofascial tissues, tendons, ligaments, joint capsules, and bones.
Structurally, a trigger point can be:
- A connective tissue densification up to 1 cm in size.
- A soft formation resembling a vein upon palpation.
Despite the small size of the nodule, it can cause severe discomfort. This manifests as muscle weakness, decreased range of motion, and the involvement of other muscles and tendons in performing simple movements. This exhausts the body and causes a redistribution of your body’s load, negatively affecting posture and gait.
Trigger points may cause another unpleasant symptom that negatively affects your well-being: irradiating myofascial pain. If triggers are present in the neck, you will experience headaches; if in the shoulder muscles, you will feel pain and numbness in your arms. Due to this peculiarity, people often seek the cause of fascial pain where it is not actually located.
Note! Identifying trigger points in your own body is very difficult, especially in the early stages, so when experiencing regular, irradiating pain, it is necessary to consult a specialist.
Trigger Points in Muscles:
Myofascial Pain Syndrome Causes
Trigger point pain is observed in all individuals, regardless of age and gender, and is one of the most common causes of chronic pain. This pathology is prevalent among working-age individuals, with women being 2.5 times more likely to suffer from it than men. Unfortunately, the condition is a health and human services problem, as it leads to complete or partial loss of human productivity.
What causes myofascial pain syndrome? Let’s consider the main reasons for the appearance of myofascial trigger points on the body:
- Prolonged static loading (overstrain due to constant muscle loads, stretches, and prolonged stay in one position).
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Postural abnormalities (scoliosis, kyphosis, pelvic deformity, slouching).
- Musculoskeletal disorders, injuries (fractures, strains, tears).
- Chronic stress, psychosocial disorders.
- Past viral illnesses.
- Metabolic disorders and excess weight.
- Deficiency of vitamins and minerals (vitamins B, D, folic acid, ascorbic acid, iron).
- Structural anomalies of the body (limb length discrepancy).
Therefore, it is crucial to take maximum measures to alleviate pain and improve well-being, including myofascial therapy as an effective method of manual therapy.
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How to Understand Which Trigger Points
Are Responsible for the Pain?
What causes myofascial pain syndrome? Let’s consider the main reasons for the appearance of myofascial trigger points on the body:
Primary (central)
- Pain is felt with regular muscle overload.
- Localized pain at the pressure point, which spreads according to the map of referred pain.
- Located around the center of the muscle belly.
Latent (hidden)
- Local or referred pain occurs upon pressure on the point but is not felt in adjacent areas.
- Under unfavorable conditions, they may become active.
Active myofascial trigger points
- Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain occur both during movement and at rest.
- Pain is felt not only at a specific point but also in remote areas.
- Palpation triggers the appearance of vegetative symptoms such as skin redness, sweating, and dizziness.
- They form in any muscle, particularly at the motor nerve entry point into the muscle.
Associative
- Pain is felt when the central trigger point is irritated.
- Causes restrictions in mobility and muscle weakness.
- Spontaneously disappear after the central trigger point is eliminated.
Trigger points can:
- Cause severe pain syndrome.
- Be the cause of chronic pain disorder complicated by inflammation.
- Mimic another pain to distant areas.
To understand the seriousness of the problem and consult the right physician, let’s understand how pain can manifest in different areas of the body.
Trigger points in the head and neck
- Headaches.
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
- Radiation of pain to the jaw.
- Decreased visual acuity.
- Torticollis.
- Referred pain in the upper extremities.
Trigger points in the upper and middle back
- Chest pain reflected in the arm, elbow, and in some cases with numbness of the ring finger or carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Pain between the shoulder blades.
- Limited mobility of the shoulder girdle.
- Chest pain or increased sensitivity of the nipple.
- Mimics heart pain.
Trigger point in the low back
- Dull, aching pain, sometimes with burning and radiation to the stomach area.
- Increased pain when standing, walking, lying down, coughing, or sneezing.
- Various symptoms (nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension).
- Need to differentiate the symptom from appendicitis.
Sciatic trigger points
- Episodic or constant pain in the lower back and thighs.
- Increased pain with prolonged sitting.
- Pain relief with hot baths and showers.
Trigger point in the lower body (feet, legs)
- Pain in the calf and quadriceps muscles, inside and outside of the knee.
- Sensation of weakness, heaviness, and numbness of the muscles, causing severe pain upon pressure.
- Limited range of motion in the lower limbs.
If you have identified myofascial adhesions, it is worth consulting myofascial trigger point therapists. Besides pain, it can cause musculoskeletal disorders, restricted joint mobility, and worsened coordination. After evaluation, the therapist can suggest myofascial trigger point therapy, so that the client can benefit from myofascial release.
Phases of the Disease
There are three stages of the development of trigger point myofascial pain:
- Acute phase: Characterized by constant and pronounced pain in areas where active trigger points are located and in the area of referred pain.
- Subacute phase: At this stage, the pain syndrome occurs during movement and physical activity but is absent at rest.
- Chronic phase: Examination reveals only latent points, with mild discomfort, dysfunction in identified densifications, and degenerative processes in the joints and tendons.
Myofascial Release
as an Effective Treatment for Pain Syndrome
Regardless of the localization of trigger points, modern physiotherapy methods, and therapeutic massage are used in the treatment of myofascial disorders. At Massage Bliss and Bodywork, leading specialists apply proprietary treatment techniques during the “Kmit Method”.
Massage therapy allows deep action on trigger points, improving blood circulation in the affected area, bringing muscles back to their normal position, and improving their mobility and overall well-being.
Professional release therapy is an effective way to permanently eliminate pain and muscle constraints.
FAQ
As a result of constant tension, overuse, and prolonged sitting, painful nodules form in the muscles, which weaken their functions, causing discomfort and pain in the neck, back, and waist.
The patient may feel discomfort when performing certain massage therapy techniques, but this is normal. However, a therapist should gauge the pressure so you do not experience sharp pain. If such pain is present, be sure to inform the specialist or stop the procedure.
Myofascial release therapist assures that hand massage effectively work on trigger points. This increases oxygen-rich blood flow to the muscles, restoring their normal functioning. Mechanical movements help break down adhesions in muscle fibers and tendons, thereby helping to reduce pain. Cupping therapy techniques can be added.
