Myofascial Pain: 4 Treatments That Can Deliver Lasting Relief

If you're living with muscle pain that doesn’t seem to go away, you may be dealing with myofascial pain syndrome — a condition caused by tight, sensitive trigger points in your muscles and connective tissue (fascia).

This pain can feel deep, achy, and stubborn. You might feel this pain at the site of the trigger point (local pain) or in a different area of your body (referred pain.) Anywhere from 20-95% of people seeking pain management for musculoskeletal pain are diagnosed with myofascial pain.

So, what can you do about it?

Bradley A. Silva, MD, and the Lakeshore Pain and Spine Center team in Kenosha, Wisconsin, understand how chronic pain can be. The good news? There are effective treatments that can help relieve myofascial pain and restore your quality of life. 

Read more to learn about four treatments that deliver lasting relief.

1. Trigger point injections

Trigger points — most often known as knots — form from an injury or even microtrauma, and trigger point injections directly target these taut bands of tissue.

When you receive a trigger point injection, Dr. Silva injects a small amount of anesthetic (and sometimes medication) directly into the painful muscle knot, which helps relax muscles, reduce inflammation, and ease pain quickly.

Trigger point injections are especially beneficial for people with deep, persistent trigger points.

2. Physical therapy

A personalized physical therapy plan can enhance flexibility, improve posture, and strengthen muscles. Your physical therapy may use stretching, massage, and gentle exercises to release tension in your fascia and muscles. These exercises can help prevent the pain from coming back.

3. Manual therapy

Physical therapy focuses on improving movement and strength through guided exercises, while manual therapy uses hands-on techniques to directly release muscle tension and improve mobility.

Manual therapy techniques include massage, myofascial release, and joint mobilization that targets restricted areas. These techniques help improve circulation, break up adhesions, and release muscle tension — all of which can help offer direct, drug-free pain relief.

4. Medication and pain management techniques

In some cases, over-the-counter or prescription medications may be part of your treatment plan. Anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers, or topical creams can reduce pain, while other therapies work to correct the underlying issue. 

Bonus: Find the treatment that treats the root cause of your myofascial pain

It's critical to address the root cause to relieve myofascial pain. Common causes of primary myofascial pain include piriformis syndrome, iliopsoas-related pain, and compression of your brachial plexus by your scalene muscles (a condition called neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome).

For example, if piriformis syndrome causes your pain, targeted stretches, physical therapy, and posture correction can help release the muscle and reduce pressure on your sciatic nerve.

Secondary myofascial pain happens as a result of another condition. Joint pain from whiplash, for instance, can cause myofascial pain, which would require a different treatment than piriformis syndrome.

Combine your treatments with relaxation techniques

Chronic stress can cause your muscles to stay tense and worsen myofascial pain. Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, guided imagery, and meditation help calm the nervous system, reduce tension, and support the body’s natural healing process.

Do not let myofascial pain hold you back

With the right care, myofascial pain doesn’t have to be a lifelong struggle. At Lakeshore Pain and Spine Center, we combine expert diagnosis with personalized treatment options to help you feel better and move more freely.

If you're tired of living with constant muscle pain, call Dr. Silva at 262-484-4035 or schedule your consultation today.