Myofascial Pain Syndrome

About Syndrome

Myofascial pain syndrome is a condition that originates in the fascia of muscle tissues. The term myofascial stands muscle tissue (myo) and the connective tissue that surrounds it (fascia). Fascia is made up of thin sheets of tissue that surround and separate muscles and muscle fibers, enabling them to function independently from neighboring tissue. In the trunk and limbs, deep fascia contains and separates groups of muscles into well-defined spaces called compartments. Deep fascia is made of dense sheets of connective tissue with large numbers of collagen fibers.

Myofascial Pain Causes

Sometimes, due to injury or overuse, small areas of fascia can cramp or spasm, creating a tight painful knot that can often be seen beneath the skin’s surface. Those knots, referred to as myofascial trigger points, often appear in areas where connective tissue meets bones, nerves and muscle, often on the limbs and back.

In addition to injury and overuse, other potential causes of trigger point formation include:

Being out of shape

Muscle imbalances

Joint disorders

Nutritional deficiencies

Poor posture

Unequal leg length

Poor sleep hygiene

Trigger points can be painful when pressure is applied, causing muscle fibers to shorten. They can also cause referred pain, meaning a trigger point in one muscle can create pain in another area of the body. Trigger points can reduce muscle function, causing pain, stiffness and tension, and interfering with physical performance.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is aimed at releasing taut myofascial tissue, thereby relieving local muscle pain and referred pain. Trigger point therapy has been proven effective in treating a number of conditions, including:

Neck and back pain

Shoulder pain

Wrist pain

Sciatic nerve pain

Herniated disc pain

Sacroiliac joint pain

TMJ (jaw) pain

Elbow and arm pain

Knee pain

Foot and ankle pain

Hip pain

Headache

Trigger point massage therapy is the most common approach to releasing trigger points. A trigger point massage therapist is trained to locate and identify trigger points, and apply appropriate massage techniques.

Trigger Point Massage NYC

Ultrasound guided dry needling

Unlike acupuncture which seeks to restore energy balance in the body, dry needling is aimed specifically at trigger points, inducing a local twitch response that causes tissue spasms to release and relax.

Cupping therapy

Cupping creates negative pressure, the opposite of massage, to improve circulation, relieve pain and relax tense muscles.

ESWT (extracorporeal shock wave therapy)

This non-invasive treatment uses sonic waves to break up scar tissue and stimulate cell metabolism. Shock wave therapy has been proven effective in treating myofascial trigger points.

Trigger point massage therapy

A massage therapist specially trained in trigger point pressure release technique can successfully help relieve trigger point pain.

At NYDNR, our goal is to relieve pain and restore function, so you can enjoy the very best quality of life.

Is Trigger Point Therapy Safe?

Trigger point therapy can be non-invasive in nature if the trigger points are located directly beneath the skin and can be palpated. In such cases, treatment may be as simple as placing pressure on the knot and/or massaging it until it releases. Deep trigger points are located in deep tissues and cannot be seen or palpated from the skin’s surface. In such instances, accurate diagnosis is key, to confirm that a trigger point exists and to identify its location. For deep trigger points, dry needling is used to stimulate a twitch response by inserting a needle into the trigger point, causing it to release.

When performed “blind,” dry needling can be a hit-or-miss proposition that increases your risk of pain and infection. However, when performed under high resolution ultrasound guidance, dry needling trigger point therapy can be a quick, painless and accurate procedure that yields rapid pain relief.

Lev Kalika Clinical Director and DC, RMSK

Dr. Lev Kalika has been working to revolutionize physical medicine, rehabilitation, sports medicine and athletic performance since 1998, with multiple research studies to his credit. In particular, Dr. Kalika has done extensive research on the use of ultrasound guided dry needling to treat pain and dysfunction caused by myofascial trigger points. Dr. Kalika is recognized as an international expert in integrative rehabilitation, sports medicine, injury prevention, athletic performance, and ultrasound guided dry needling. NYDNRehab is considered the most technologically advanced private clinic in the US. Dr.Kalika’s modern approach to the treatment of athletic injuries and myofascial trigger point pain has put him on the radar of some of the world’s top distance runners, pro athletes and professional ballet dancers.