Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic muscular pain disorder. Rather than cause pain all over the body, myofascial pain syndrome generally affects a specific muscle or group of muscles, causing a deep ache that gets worse as time goes on. The cause of myofascial pain syndrome is still a topic undergoing research. However, doctors are learning some of the things that are likely related to this condition.
What does “myofascial” mean?
The “myo” in myofascial refers to the muscles, while “fascial” refers to the fascia. The fascia is a sheet of thin tissue that covers not only the muscles but also encases organs throughout the body. The fascia itself, however, is not separated the way each muscle is, but rather a continuous web-like sheet made of collagen. It is difficult to diagnose conditions directly related to the fascia, because it doesn’t show up on imaging tests.
According to Myofascial Release Treatment Centers and Seminars “Trauma…[can] create Myofascial restrictions that can produce tensile pressures of approximately 2,000 pounds per square inch on pain sensitive structures.” While healthy, unharmed fascia is extremely flexible and moves easily with the body’s movements, injuries can make it lose that stretchy quality and pull not only on the affected area, but essentially all over the body. It is not surprising that this manifests in physical discomfort, but the overall discomfort and strain can actually have psychological or emotional effects as well.
What is myofascial pain?
On the whole, experts contribute a great deal of the credit for myofascial pain syndrome to muscular trauma, overwork, and overuse. Consider the way your muscles feel the day after extensive amounts of exercise -- the muscles you worked out may seem to ache, deep within the muscle. But as time goes on, and you exercise more, that pain steadily goes away. Myofascial pain syndrome doesn’t. Instead, the muscle gets hurt in some way and it just keeps on hurting until you seek treatment. Muscles that are strained, overworked, or injured develop a “trigger point” at the site of injury: a tight bunch of fibers amidst the muscle. The trigger point is the original point where the strain or trauma occurred, but rather than the pain remaining localized, pressure on the trigger point causes “referred pain” all over the muscle or muscle group.
What do experts think are the causes of myofascial pain?
Common causes of this specific strain or injury include not using the muscle for too long (such as while trying to heal a fractured arm or otherwise remaining static) or repetitive movements that can eventually cause strain or overwork. Cold weather especially seems to impact this.
Myofascial pain syndrome may also result from an injury specific to the disks between vertebrae. Being excessively tired or getting insufficient sleep also appears to be related to myofascial pain. Some medical conditions also appear to increase the chances of developing myofascial pain syndrome. Some stomach conditions characterized by irritation appear to influence myofascial pain (perhaps this has to do with the fascia lining the stomach), as can low levels of certain nutrients. Other disorders that are closely linked with myofascial pain syndrome include (but are not limited to): anemia, hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, radiculopathy, visceral diseases, hyperuricemia, and even depression.
