Trigger points are small sites of tight muscles. Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is when pressure on trigger points results in pain in other parts of the body.

Causes

The cause is not clear.

Trigger points causes are:

Injury, such as to discs in between the spinal bones
Muscle overuse
Emotional stress or tension

The trigger point can stay even after the cause of it has healed.

Risk Factors

MPS may be more common in women.

Symptoms

MPS may cause:

Muscle pain or weakness
Pain in parts of the body other than the trigger point
Problems moving
A feeling of pins and needles

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. It will focus on areas of pain. The doctor may diagnose you based on your symptoms and whether you have trigger points.

Muscles of the Back

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to ease pain. Choices are:

Supportive care, such as rest and cold compresses
Medicines to ease pain and swelling
Physical therapy to ease tension in trigger points
Dry needling or acupuncture to loosen a trigger point
Massage therapy

Prevention

The risk of this problem may be lowered by making ergonomic changes to the workplace. Some examples are learning the right lifting methods, improving posture, and sitting the right way.

RESOURCES:

American Physical Therapy Association
http://www.apta.org

Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians
http://www.familydoctor.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Physiotherapy Association
http://www.physiotherapy.ca

Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca

References:

Myofascial pain syndrome. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/myofascial-pain-syndrome. Accessed January 25, 2021.

Myofascial pain syndrome: Cleveland Clinic website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed January 25, 2021.

Saxena A, Chansoria M, et al. Myofascial Pain Syndrome: An Overview. J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2015 Jan 5.

Last reviewed December 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Rimas Lukas, MD
Last Updated: 1/25/2021

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