Myofascial pain is a common problem that causes persistent muscle soreness and stiffness. When left untreated, myofascial pain can prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep and negatively affect your quality of life. At Atlantic Pain Interventions & Rehabilitation in Chesapeake, Virginia, interventional pain management specialist Sastry K. Topalli, MD, treats all types of myofascial pain, including fibromyalgia and trigger points. To schedule an appointment, book a consultation online, or call the office today.
Myofascial pain causes your muscles to become irritated and inflamed. Almost everyone experiences muscle stiffness from time-to-time, but myofascial pain lasts for weeks or even months or years.
Over time, myofascial pain causes the formation of trigger points. Trigger points are tight bands of tissue that are tender or sensitive to the touch.
Common symptoms you may experience with myofascial pain include:
Myofascial pain typically doesn’t respond to conservative treatments like rest and ice. As a result, the pain gets progressively worse over time.
Myofascial pain occurs for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common causes include fibromyalgia, poor posture, nutritional deficiencies, and generalized fatigue.
Other factors that may contribute to myofascial pain include smoking, being overweight, and hormonal changes caused by menopause.
Myofascial pain can affect anyone. However, you’re more likely to experience myofascial pain if you work a physically demanding job that requires you to participate in repetitive activities for sustained periods of time, including lifting, reaching, or using hand tools.
To diagnose myofascial pain, Dr. Topalli reviews your medical history and asks about your lifestyle and symptoms. He conducts a physical exam looking for tender nodules (trigger points) in the bands of your muscles.
Let Dr. Topalli know about your current symptoms, as well as your history of past injuries or surgeries. If Dr. Topalli is unable to locate your trigger points or cause of pain during a physical exam, he might order diagnostic tests to pinpoint the source of your discomfort.
Treatment of myofascial pain at Atlantic Pain Interventions & Rehabilitation depends on the severity of your symptoms and the underlying cause.
Usually, Dr. Topalli recommends conservative, at-home measures of care like losing weight, exercising regularly, and practicing good posture. You might also benefit from nutrition counseling or practicing yoga, pilates, or another stretching technique.
If your myofascial pain persists or gets worse, Dr. Topalli might recommend:
To schedule an appointment for myofascial pain at Atlantic Pain Interventions & Rehabilitation, book a consultation online, or call the office today.
