Myofascial Release_Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Huntington NY

Myofascial Pain Syndrome is defined as a hyper-irritable spot within a taut band of muscle tissue that is painful upon palpation and may cause characteristic referred pain patterns and other autonomic phenomenon. This means that a muscle will feel tight and within the tightness is a hard knot that is painful to the touch.  An active trigger point produces referred pain to other muscles and tissues in other areas of the body.  For example an active trigger point in the scalenes located in the lateral aspect of the neck can cause pain in the hand.  The hand is neurologically connected to the scalene muscles and therefore can feel pain when the scalene muscles are tight. These referral patterns exist for many on the muscles of the body and make musculoskeletal diagnosis more complicated, therefore a practitioner trained in myofascial pain syndrome is needed for a proper evaluation. A latent trigger point is a knot in the muscle that produces only local pain upon palpation: there is no referral pattern.  In addition to referred pain from muscle trigger points there can also be autonomic phenomenon such as dizziness, vertigo, blurry vision, tinnitis (ringing in the ears), nausea, vomiting, bowel gas, flatulence, goose bumps and others.  Satellite trigger points can develop from primary active trigger points.  A satellite trigger point is simply an additional trigger point that forms in an adjacent muscle or muscles and can cause their own set in pain patterns. Of course this complicates the patient's musculoskeletal problem and all trigger points must be treated to alleviate the discomfort.

Trigger points and myofascial pain syndrome can occur in both men and women equally of any age.  Most are caused by the stress of our daily activities.  Poor posture, fatigue, emotional stress, repetitive use, over use, improper use, poor biomechanics and ergonomics activities and a cold chill to the muscle are some of the potential causes of trigger points.  Trigger points are quite common and are many times overlooked by primary care physicians as a primary diagnosis for a patient's pain and discomfort.  Fortunately myofascial trigger points can be treated and managed by practitioners trained in musculoskeletal techniques.  Chiropractors, massage therapists and physical therapists are your best choices for care and should achieve excellent results.  Treatments would include chiropractic manipulation, neuromuscular stretching, ischemic compression, muscle stripping, heat therapy and rest of the involved muscle.