Myofascial pain syndrome is a common disorder of the muscles and fascia, a thin connective tissue found throughout the entire body.

Fascia covers and supports all of your muscles, bones, organs, and other bodily structures. This condition causes pain, lessened mobility, and trigger points—a key characteristic of myofascial pain syndrome.

Myofascial trigger points (also just called “trigger points”) are areas of hypersensitivity that can cause pain and tension. They are described as a tender “knot” that is located within a taut (tight) band of muscle.

When touched, a trigger point can create referred pain—or, it may spontaneously create pain even without applied pressure. Some common areas where trigger points form with this condition include the neck, shoulders, and lower back.

Myofascial pain syndrome can be acute and short-term, or chronic and long-lasting. Symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome can vary from person to person, with symptoms including any of the following:

• Dull, lingering pain
• Sudden, throbbing pain
• Pain that worsens or does not go away
• Trigger point areas that may or may not be painful to the touch
• Trouble sleeping due to pain
• Tender or weak muscles
• Reduced range of motion
• Muscle stiffness
• Fatigue

Myofascial pain syndrome is often mistaken with fibromyalgia, another chronic condition that causes widespread pain and fatigue.

However, myofascial pain seems to be felt in a localized area or on one side of the body, rather than throughout the body like with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia also typically involves a much wider range of symptoms.

Additionally, trigger points seem to be a primary symptom in myofascial pain syndrome, but not necessarily with fibromyalgia.

These trigger points, alongside more localized musculoskeletal pain, is what differentiates myofascial pain syndrome from fibromyalgia.

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The direct cause of myofascial pain syndrome is not yet known, but is suspected to be created by injury or repetitive motions of a muscle.

Research so far seems to suggest that these activities, especially with poor form, can create trigger points within the muscles from a build up of tension. Stress and anxiety are thought to also contribute to this tension and the creation of trigger points.

In addition to these theories, there are certain risk factors that are thought to make you you more susceptible myofascial pain syndrome, including:

• Lack of muscle activity
• Muscle weakness
• Chronic infections
• Pinched nerves
• Other conditions

Myofascial pain syndrome currently does not have a standard diagnosis method involving imaging or lab testing, and is usually determined through physical examination.

Therefore, your provider will typically attempt to rule out other conditions, examine your posture and muscle tension, look for trigger point areas, and discuss your symptoms with you.

For those with myofascial pain syndrome, physical therapy can be a very effective form of treatment or symptom management. Individuals with acute myofascial pain syndrome may find physical therapy to be a great primary treatment option.

For those with chronic myofascial pain syndrome, your symptoms can be better managed over time with physical therapy.

Regardless of whether you have acute or chronic myofascial pain syndrome, physical therapy is one of the most common treatment options, as this musculoskeletal condition heavily focuses on the presence of tension in the muscles.

Muscle tension and the pain that stems from it can be relieved with a comprehensive physical therapy treatment plan. Physical therapy can effectively target stiff, sore muscles and reduce tension from trigger points with treatments such as:

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy refers to hands-on techniques and other methods using tools that can help mobilize tight tissues, fascia, trigger points, and nerves.

The movement, manipulation, mobilization, and massage of these parts of the body can release tension and trigger points, lessen your pain, and improve mobility.

Some other forms of manual therapy that can relieve your pain include cupping, dry needling, tissue scraping, cold/heat therapy, and electrical muscle stimulation.

These treatment methods are especially useful for targeting trigger points and helping to release built-up tension.

Neuromuscular Re-Education

Your physical therapist may use treatments like biofeedback and neuromuscular re-education to help you relearn to activate your muscles appropriately during use.

This is relevant to myofascial pain syndrome as it can reduce improper muscle activation and decrease pain associated with trigger points.

Exercise Prescription

Exercise and stretching will be an important part of your comprehensive treatment plan.

Your physical therapist will curate a routine to help you target any muscle imbalances and eliminate stiff, immobile areas that could be contributing to your pain.

Behavioral Modifications

In some cases, you may be performing daily habits, motions, or postures that could be building tension in your muscles and contributing to symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome.

Therefore, your physical therapist will identify any harmful sitting, standing, or lifting postures—and improve on them. If you play sports or make repetitive movements at your job, they may work to improve on those movements and body mechanics, too.

Spinal Manipulation or Joint Mobilization

While a person with myofascial pain syndrome may have trigger points in various areas, the reduced range of motion and muscle tension from the condition could be caused by spinal misalignment or joint stiffness.

If your physical therapist determines this to be the case for you, they may use manipulation or mobilization techniques to realign your spine, release guarded tissues and muscles, and improve joint range of motion.

Relaxation Techniques

Tension can be worsened by things like stress and anxiety; therefore, your physical therapist may teach you relaxation methods such as diaphragmatic breathing to help you reduce tension and promote calmness.

Experiencing pain from a confusing condition like myofascial pain syndrome can be stressful, so learning effective ways to relax the body can be incredibly helpful.

There are a lot of different physical therapy treatments that can be used to address symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome. However, the physical therapists at Hive Therapy and Wellness understand that each person is different, and that symptoms can vary widely.

That’s why each patient will have a unique care plan with treatments curated to their individual needs. The treatments used at Hive include any of the following, which may or may not be used in your own care plan:

• Neuromuscular re-education 
• Manual therapy
• Exercise prescription 
• Dry needling 
• Cupping 
• Tissue scraping 
• Behavioral modifications 
• Therapeutic activities 
• Electrical muscle stimulation
• Spinal manipulation 
• Therapeutic modalities 
• Biofeedback