How Chiropractic Treatments Can Help with Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Myofascial pain syndrome and myofascial trigger points are essential aspects of musculoskeletal medicine, along with chiropractic. Myofascial pain syndrome is a serious pain disorder whereby pressure on sensitive areas in the muscles (trigger points) results in pain in the muscles and, in some cases, other seemingly unrelated areas of the body. This is known as referred pain.
The condition usually occurs following repetitive contraction of a muscle. It can be the result of repeated motions made when performing a job or a hobby, or by stress-related muscle tension. While almost everyone has experienced pain as a result of muscle tension, the discomfort that accompanies myofascial pain syndrome worsens or persists. There are several treatment options like chiropractic care, physical therapy, shoulder pain medications, and myofascial trigger point injections. However, the most effective treatment options are can be achieved through chiropractic management, such as myofascial release therapy.
Symptoms
There are several signs and symptoms that accompany this syndrome. One common symptom is tightness or stiffness of the tissues that limits motion or pulls the body out of its proper alignment. This causes individuals to favor and overuse one shoulder or hip. Another common symptom is a sense of excess pressure on joints and muscles that produces pain. The other common symptom is pain in any region of the body, including back pain, or headache.
Other common symptoms and signs include:
- Tender knots in one or several muscles
- Deep, aching pain in one or several muscles
- Pain that worsens or persists relentlessly
- Trouble sleeping because of pain
It is always advisable to make an appointment whenever you experience persistent muscle pain. Almost everyone will experience some muscle pain occasionally. However, if the pain is persistent or worsens despite self-care measures like resting and massaging the affected area, you should consider myofascial therapy that involves chiropractic management. One of the best forms of chiropractic therapies for myofascial pain syndrome is myofascial release therapy.
What is Myofascial Release?
Myofascial release therapy is a chiropractic care approach to myofascial release management. It focuses on relieving muscle tightness and shortness in the trigger points. It is a form of physical therapy that is commonly used to treat this syndrome. It’s not always easy to know what trigger points are responsible for the pain and localizing pain to a particular trigger point is a difficult task. Due to that challenge, myofascial release is often used over a wide region of muscle and tissue instead of single points.
There are several benefits of myofascial release when it comes to addressing the symptoms and conditions of the syndrome. Many patients often seek myofascial release treatments after noticing a loss of function or flexibility following an injury or when experiencing persistent back, hip, shoulder or any pain in any regions containing soft tissue. This form of therapy can also be used to treat other conditions.
Other complications that can be treated by myofascial release include:
- Temporo-Mandibular Joint disorder
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Migraine headaches or fibromyalgia
Can Chiropractors Treat Myofascial Pain?
Chiropractors can treat myofascial pain. However, you must be careful before approaching any chiropractor out there. For Cumming residents, it is advisable to choose an experienced and certified Cumming chiropractor at Arise Family Chiropractic Center.
Many myofascial release treatments that involve chiropractic management take place as massage therapy sessions. Your chiropractor will gently massage the myofascia to feel for tightened or stiff regions. Normal myofascia is supposed to be elastic and pliable. The therapist will massage and stretch the regions that feel tight or stiff while applying light pressure manually. The therapist will then aid the tissue as well as supporting sheath to release tightness and pressure. The therapist will repeat the process several times on the same trigger point as well as other trigger points until the tension is totally released.
It is worth noting that the regions where the chiropractor is massaging may not be close to where you’re feeling the pain or from where the pain is originating. Myofascial release basically works the wider network of tissue and muscles that might be the cause of your pain. It attempts to minimize the tension all through your body by releasing myofascial trigger points across a wide section of the muscular system.
Can a Chiropractor Treat Trigger Points?
Before giving an answer to this question, it is important to first understand what myofascia and trigger points are. Apart from the numerous bones and joints that comprise the thoracic spine, there’s a network of layered and interwoven muscles. The work of these muscles is to stabilize and support the movement of the spine, support movement of the arm and shoulder, and aid in respiration.
Fascia refers to a layer of connective tissue that plays a role in forming the supportive structure of the musculoskeletal system and the spine. The fascia surrounds or invests the muscles and permits the smooth gliding of muscles upon each other. Investing fascia aids in preventing muscles from sticking to each other.
With chronic postural stress, muscle overuse, or injury, myofascial trigger points or myofascial adhesion may develop. These are all known as myofascial pain syndromes. Chiropractors can treat myofascial trigger points through manual myofascial therapy. The therapies typically involve applying direct pressure on the trigger points. Alternatively, chiropractors can use active anchor-and-stretch myofascial release techniques to treat the muscle pain.
Contact Us!
If you have been experiencing back, shoulder, hip or neck pain, you might be suffering from the symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome. The symptoms associated with this syndrome can be uncomfortable and prevent you from living a normal lifestyle both at home and at work.
At Arise Family Chiropractic Center in Cumming, Georgia, we have the perfect solution. Chiropractic management of this syndrome has been proven to be effective and non-invasive. If you’ve been wondering about where you can get a skilled and certified Cumming chiropractor, our facility has been providing Cumming residents with myofascial release therapy for several years now. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!