Muscle pain is something most people will experience over the course of their lives, and this pain will usually go away on its own after a few days or weeks. For people with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), however, the pain can persist for much longer. MPS affects sensitive “trigger spots” in muscles, causing them to feel pain whenever pressure is applied. These trigger points can usually be found just by feeling for them, but X-rays and CT scans can help locate harder-to-detect spots.
There are many possible causes of MPS. Poor posture, nutrition deficiencies, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle are some of the most common. MPS is usually caused by a combination of contributing factors that allow muscles to become tight and knotted.
Most patients require a combination of treatments to adequately treat MPS. Medications can be a big help, but in true cases of MPS, it is unlikely that they will be enough to treat the problem by themselves.
The following are some proven treatments for MPS:
Finding the right treatment for your particular case of MPS may take some trial and error. Different bodies have different responses to pain and treatment, so what works for one person will not necessarily work for another.