Myofascial Pain Vs Muscle Pain

To properly understand muscular pain first we need understanding of skeletal muscle function. Most therapists, doctors and patients would explain muscle as an organ that moves your bone. However, this is only part of muscular function as an organ. In addition to mover, muscle is also sensory organ and organ of pain.

Are Myofascial And Muscular Pain the Same?

Muscle and myofascial pain are not really same. Muscular pain could be triggered by pain receptors overstimulation that are located in muscle fibers. Myofascial pain is a term commonly used to describe pain that has origin somewhere in muscle.
On the other hand, myofascial pain is a phenomenon in which your local pain is due to inflammation of tiny knots (trigger points) which give rise to pain. Sarcomere is the functional unit of muscle. Contracture of sarcomere leads to formation of trigger points. The pathophysiology of these trigger points is better described by endplate dysfunction.
The junction between nerve ending and muscle fiber is endplate. Energy crises or ischemia at endplate will induce release of pain sensitizing substances. Such substances will reduce and inhibit calcium reuptake into muscle fibers resulting in various circles of pain-spasm-pain.

Get Better And State-of-the-art Treatment Of Myofascial Pain At IPRC

The physical therapy experts at IPRC understands that every patient has unique condition and unique anatomy, and every condition has specific and distinctive characteristics. Run-of-the mill physical therapy clinics uses one-size-fit-all approaches for patient care, utilizing the same cookie-cutter exercises that fails to properly rehabilitate patients.
At IPRC, we use one-on-one and personalized treatment approach that is especially design to treat your pain. Our individualized treatment protocols ensures that you get proper treatment to eliminate the source of your pain. We are fully aware the rehabilitation takes time, so we make sure that time invested in therapy should be properly utilized and not wasted.
From our state-of-the-art equipment to top-notch physical therapy treatment, we ensure that our patients get best musculoskeletal rehab. Our experience of combining state-of-the-art equipment, professional expertise and cutting-edge training technologies makes IPRC the number one clinic to treat your myofascial and muscle pain in shortest possible time.

Symptoms Of Myofascial Pain

Deep aching pain
Trigger points
Weakness of muscles.
Reduced range of motion or mobility
Sore or tender muscles

Causes Of Myofascial Pain

Most people have trigger points. People who engage in little activity during the day have more chances of painful trigger points.

Strain and sprain are common cause of trigger points, especially postural repetitive strain. Other causes of myofascial pain are:

Stress
Nerve interference
Underlying internal disease
Biomechanical insufficiency
Nutrition and diet deficits
Disorders of hormones
Psychiatric and psychological disorders
Response to trauma and injury
Poor sleep
Pinched nerve
Muscle weakness

Trigger points are common in most disorders of musculoskeletal system such as disc disorders, radiculopathy, disorders of nerve compression, postural abnormalities, complex pain syndrome.

What Type Of Pain Is Caused By Trigger Points?

Referred and local pain arise from trigger points. Pain of trigger point is coupled with nerve or joint pain and is felt deep or superficial depending on location of pain.

Is Trigger Points Harmless?

Mostly when there is no underlying cause, trigger point and myofascial pain diminishes. If your trigger point pain persists for more than 6 months, then it could lead to irreversible damage of muscle that is much more resistant to management and treatment.

Diagnosis Of Myofascial Pain

Mostly myofascial pain is misdiagnosed. It may be mistaken with problems of ligament, tendons, nerves or bones, but its wrong. This pain arise due to problems in your muscles.
The best way to diagnose myofascial pain is by proper examination and assessment of muscle. Your therapist would feel for taut muscular band and will then find the exact location of tenderness.

Treatment Of Myofascial Pain

The best treatment aims at elimination of the exact cause of pain weather it may be herniated disc or functional problems like emotional and postural problems.

Physical Therapy Exercises

Exercises aims at increasing strength of different connective tissues and muscles. These exercises will improve stability and mobility and will help in relieving nerve pain. Postural correction is also important so that structures are realigned.

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy is a hands-on technique to body tissues which increases mobility. ROM is also increased with the help of manual therapy. Joint mobilization will improve both stability and mobility.

Passive Treatments

Evidence proved that by utilizing passive treatment modalities like electrotherapy, manual therapy and tapping will provide additional benefits when use in combination with therapeutic exercises.

Therapeutic Ultrasound

Therapeutic ultrasound to reduce pain, increase circulation and relax tissue tension.

Interferential Current (IFC)

Interferential current (IFC) is electrical muscle stimulation to relieve pain and promote faster healing of our patients.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

TENS is used to slow down the pain signals that goes to brain and spinal cord which may help in muscle relaxation and reducing pain.

Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy helps in improving blood flow and reducing symptoms. it also aids in relaxation and facilitates healing process. Cupping therapy is commonly used to treat variety of conditions like joint and muscle pain, headaches, depression, anxiety and skin conditions.

Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy releases tight myofascial tissues that will reduce local pain as well as referred pain. Trigger point therapy is very effective in treating conditions like neck pain, back pain, wrist pain, sciatica, sacroiliac joint pain, foot and ankle pain, hip pain, knee pain and headache. Trigger point massage therapy is widely used to release trigger points.

Dry Needling

Dry needling is used for the relieve of muscular spasm and stiffness. It breaks trigger points which are tiny knots in your muscles.

Balance Training

Proper balance training to restore symmetry of functional movements.

Prevention Of Myofascial Pain

The risk for developing myofascial pain can be reduced by:

Maintain proper sleep
Reducing your stress level
Proper exercise
Start practicing relaxation methods
Eating a healthy diet

Get Treatment At IPRC That Really Works

Conventional medicine aims at managing and reducing symptoms without identifying and addressing underlying cause.
Our advance technologies and transformative therapy will help in eradicating the root cause of your dysfunction and pain so that you can enjoy pain free and active lifestyle.
At IPRC, we use holistic care and individualized treatment approach for patients and never use cookie cutter exercises to achieve optimal and best results. We properly examine patient and provide one -on-one physical therapy based on proper diagnosis. The custom design and personalized treatment is utilized for addressing unique condition of patients make IPRC the number one clinic for treating myofascial pain.

Dr. Aleem Certifications In Physical Therapy

Certified Mulligan Practitioner

He is also Certified Mulligan Practitioner (CMP) in 2020. Mulligan Manual therapy is used to treat pain and injuries like back pain, neck pain, upper and lower extremities injuries. It reduces pain and improves mobility and range of motion. Mulligan concepts include natural apophyseal glides (NAGS), Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides (SNAGS) and Mobilization with Movement (MWM) to treat variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Dr. Aleem is only CMP of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Feel Free To Contact Us

Dr. Aleem also delivers lecture on ergonomics at corporate sector in whole Pakistan including Telenor, PTCL and Ufone.