Myofascial Pain

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What is myofascial pain?

Myofascial pain is a chronic pain condition that affects the muscles and the fascia — the thin layer of connective tissue that surrounds and supports the muscles throughout the body. It occurs when sensitive areas within the muscles, known as trigger points, become tight, irritated, or inflamed. These trigger points can cause localized pain or referred pain, which means the discomfort is felt in another area of the body.

Common Related Conditions

Fibromyalgia

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction

Tension-Type Headaches or Migraines

Chronic Neck, Shoulder

Back Pain

Scar Tissue or Post-Surgical Adhesions

Hip or Pelvic Pain

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Causes of myofascial pain

Myofascial pain often develops when muscles are overused, injured, or placed under chronic strain, leading to the formation of sensitive knots known as trigger points. These points can cause localized or referred pain in other areas of the body. Common causes include repetitive motion, muscle injury, or poor posture, which create continuous tension and stress on the muscles and surrounding fascia. Emotional stress can also contribute, as it often leads to involuntary tightening of the neck, shoulders, or jaw. In some cases, scar tissue or adhesions from surgery, trauma, or inflammation restrict normal tissue movement and blood flow, further aggravating discomfort. Additional factors such as vitamin deficiencies, dehydration, poor sleep, or hormonal changes can make muscles more prone to tightness and pain. Over time, these combined influences can result in persistent, widespread discomfort characteristic of myofascial pain syndrome.

Symptoms of myofascial pain

Here are the common symptoms of myofascial pain:

Deep, aching, or throbbing muscle pain
Tender or tight “knots” (trigger points) within the muscles
Pain that worsens with movement or stress
Referred pain — discomfort felt in areas distant from the trigger point
Muscle stiffness or reduced range of motion
Muscle weakness without an obvious cause
Persistent or worsening pain despite rest
Sleep disturbances due to muscle pain or tension
Tingling or burning sensations in affected areas
Fatigue or heaviness in the muscles
Headaches, jaw pain, or neck pain (when upper body muscles are affected)
Sensitivity to pressure or touch in specific muscle regions

Treatment for myofascial pain

We begin by treating tight and dysfunctional areas in your body. Our therapists are trained to provide a gentle stretch for a sustained period of time to areas of your body where we feel abnormal tensions. This has been very effective in decreasing adhesions and frequently resolving pain symptoms. Goals of treatment include restoring alignment, balance, and mobility to the pelvis, sacrum, thoracic, and lumbar spines. We address headaches, neck, back, and hip symptoms. We will treat the affected connective tissues and abdominopelvic organs.

Other treatment goals focus on decreasing pain and restoring the range of motion. We work with you to improve your function and your tolerance for physical activity to return you to an active, productive lifestyle.

Other Treatment Options (Surgery, Drugs)

Other treatment options for myofascial pain can range from self-care to pain medication to needle procedures.

Self-care treatments can include stretching and relaxing; however, if this does not resolve your pain, you may need to see a doctor or therapist.

Medications available to alleviate your pain include pain relievers, antidepressants, and sedatives. Pain relievers will treat the symptoms of your condition, making it easier to go about your everyday life, but they do little to effectively treat your condition. A variety of antidepressants can help to relieve pain in some patients and improve sleep if your pain is keeping you awake at night. Sedatives can also help to address the problem of poor sleep from persistent myofascial pain, as well as any anxiety that arises from your condition. However, with sedatives and pain relievers, there is the risk of addiction. It is also important to keep in mind that these medications are rather ineffective in treating your condition as a whole. Instead, they treat your symptoms and problems that arise from your symptoms.

Needle procedures aim to inject numbing agents and or steroids into trigger points of your pain. It has been found effective in some patients that the act of inserting the needle into the trigger point helps to break apart the muscle tension. Acupuncture also appears to be helpful in pain relief from myofascial pain syndrome.

Condition Specific Disclaimer:

Clear Passage® Therapy is a non-surgical, manual physical therapy designed to address adhesions and restrictions in soft tissues and fascia. Some patients report improvement in muscle tension, trigger points, and related pain; however, results vary by individual.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.
If you experience severe, sudden, or worsening muscle pain, numbness, weakness, or other concerning symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

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