What is Myofascial Pain Syndrome? Causes and Treatment

Muscle pain is a symptom that everyone has experienced and it often resolves on its own. However, for some people, this pain may become a chronic problem that affects daily life. Let us understand what Myofascial Pain Syndrome is, what symptoms it has, along with treatment approaches and proper self-care.

Key Takeaways

• Myofascial Pain Syndrome is chronic muscle pain with tender points (Trigger Points) in the muscle bundles, which cause referred pain to other areas such as neck pain, shoulder pain, and scapular pain.
• Chronic muscle pain is caused by repetitive use of muscles or maintaining improper posture continuously for a long time, such as sitting in an incorrect working posture, causing sustained muscle contraction and reduced blood supply.
• Treatment focuses on physical therapy, with the goal of reducing muscle tension and releasing trigger points, such as muscle stretching, hot compression, use of shockwave, or laser.

What is chronic muscle pain or Myofascial Pain Syndrome?

Chronic muscle pain or Myofascial Pain Syndrome is pain that occurs in a specific area or at a point that is the center of pain in the muscle bundle, called a trigger point (Trigger Points). When pressing or touching this area, pain is felt, and the pain often radiates (Referred Pain) along the line of that muscle.

People with Myofascial Pain Syndrome or MPS are those who have long-lasting pain, and the symptoms may progressively worsen, which is different from general muscle pain that usually resolves on its own. MPS is also associated with other chronic pain conditions such as migraine headaches, neck pain, jaw pain, shoulder pain, chronic arm muscle pain, scapular pain, and may be a contributing factor that accelerates cervical spine degeneration.

What are the causes of chronic muscle pain?

The cause of Myofascial Pain is repetitive use of the same muscle group for a long time and continuously, leading to accumulation of tension until it becomes an inflamed nodule called a trigger point (approximately 0.5–1 centimeter in size), which is an area where the muscle remains contracted, resulting in decreased blood and oxygen circulation in that area, leading to inflammation and causing pain both directly at the trigger point and referred pain to nearby areas. The main causes may include:

1. Improper sitting posture while working (Poor Posture), such as sitting in front of a computer for a long time, slouching, rounded shoulders, or forward head posture.
2. Prolonged bending of the neck to use a mobile phone (Text Neck) or continuous sitting or standing in an unbalanced posture.
3. Repetitive movements (Repetitive Strain), such as lifting heavy objects incorrectly or frequently, or work that requires repeated reaching, stretching, or twisting.
4. Playing certain sports that use the same muscles repeatedly in the same pattern regularly, such as tennis, golf, or marathon running.
5. Muscle tension caused by emotional stress or anxiety that leads to unconscious muscle contraction.

Improper working posture may be a main cause leading to office syndrome. You can learn more about office syndrome in the article: Office syndrome, a chronic condition that must be treated urgently before it worsens.

Chronic muscle pain: Physical therapy treatment approaches

Treatment approaches for chronic muscle pain using physical therapy focus on reducing muscle tension and releasing trigger points. Physical therapists use multiple methods together to rehabilitate chronic pain as follows:

1. Muscle stretching (Stretching Muscle)
2. Posture correction and appropriate exercise (Correct Posture and Exercise)
3. Superficial heat compression treatment (Hot Compression)
4. Deep heat therapy (Shortwave Diathermy)
5. Laser therapy (LASER)
6. Electrical stimulation therapy (Electrical Stimulation)
7. Ultrasound therapy (Ultrasound Therapy)
8. Shockwave therapy (Shockwave Diathermy)

How can patients with Myofascial Pain Syndrome take care of themselves?

Patients with Myofascial Pain Syndrome can reduce muscle pain in the neck, shoulders, and scapula, and prevent recurrence by adjusting daily behavior, focusing on posture adjustment and muscle stretching, as follows:

• Adjust the monitor to eye level: Adjust the top edge of the screen to be at the same level as the eyes to prevent bending or extending the neck and prevent chronic neck pain
• Avoid raising the shoulders while typing: Try to keep the arms and shoulders in a relaxed position without tension.
• Use an appropriate chair: Use a chair with a backrest that can be adjusted to 100–110 degrees to support the lower back.
• Sit upright at a right angle: The hips and legs should form a right angle (90 degrees). Adjust the chair height appropriately to the desk.
• Place both feet flat on the floor: Do not let the legs hang or cross them, to maintain circulation and body balance.
• Adjust standing posture correctly: Stand with the back straight, shoulders not rounded, head not bent or protruding forward.
• Stretch muscles regularly: Perform muscle stretching to reduce contraction and increase flexibility.
• Set a schedule for stretching: Hold each stretch for 10–15 seconds, repeat 3–5 times per posture, perform 2–3 rounds per day, or every 2–3 hours if working continuously.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome is a chronic pain condition treatable with physical therapy

Myofascial Pain Syndrome is a chronic pain condition caused by trigger points in the muscles, mainly due to repetitive muscle use and improper posture. Treatment approaches for chronic muscle inflammation focus on physical therapy such as muscle stretching, hot compression, and the use of pain-reducing devices. In addition, important self-care includes adjusting working posture according to ergonomic principles and regular muscle stretching to reduce tension and prevent recurrence of pain.

For patients with Myofascial Pain Syndrome at the Orthopedic Center, Praram 9 Hospital, services are provided by specialist physicians with expertise in the musculoskeletal system. We are ready to diagnose and plan appropriate treatment. Our services cover sports medicine and correction of improper muscle use, which is a main cause of MPS, so that you can return to living happily and free from pain.

For more information

• Facebook: Praram 9 Hospital International & Expats
• Line: @Praram9Hospital
• Tel. 1270

Frequently Asked Questions about Myofascial Pain Syndrome

1. Can Myofascial Pain Syndrome be prevented?

It can be prevented. The principle is to avoid behaviors that cause accumulation of muscle tension by adjusting posture during work and daily life according to ergonomic principles (Ergonomics), including regular muscle stretching every 1–2 hours to relieve muscle tightness.

2. Is Myofascial Pain Syndrome dangerous?

It is not considered life-threatening, but MPS significantly affects quality of life because it causes severe chronic pain that interferes with sleep and movement. If left untreated, it may lead to joint stiffness or cause other pain problems such as migraine.

References

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2024, January 5). Myofascial pain syndrome. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myofascial-pain-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20375444

Myofascial Pain Syndrome. (2023, June 6). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12054-myofascial-pain-syndrome

Ivan Urits MD. (2020, September 28). Treatment and management of myofascial pain syndrome. Science Direct. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1521689620300719