Do you ever feel pressure on your sensitive joints in muscles that causes pain? If you experience such pain, you also think of tender points there. These points are the root cause of muscle dysfunction. Like me, you also wonder how these minor points cause pain.
When the stress on muscles persists, it causes tenderness in the affected area. Continuous pressure on it results in trigger point formation. Sometimes by pressing these points, pain may also feel in unrelated parts of the body, known as "referred pain."
Both these types of pain result from trigger points that can cause myofascial dysfunction syndrome. Medications, injections, massage and physical therapy can treat it. You can use massage ball trigger points which help to maximise muscle recovery.
What is myofascial dysfunction?
Myofascial dysfunction is a musculoskeletal problem that results in headaches and muscle aches. Most people confuse it with temporomandibular pain. As it usually occurs in the neck and shoulder area.
The formation of trigger points characterises myofascial dysfunction. The trigger point is the sensitive area resulting from muscle overuse. Initially, these trigger points are tender, but when active, they radiate pain.
When you put pressure on these points, it causes an autonomous response. Like hot flushes, pain, hypersensitivity, sweating of the affected area, and in some cases, it also causes goose bumps. It is caused by:
Sudden injury to muscles, tendons or ligaments.
Intervertebral disc damage.
Inactivity
Over usage of the area
Excessive cold
Systematic problems
Hormonal changes
Fatigue
Nervous tension
Menopause
Overweight
Incorrect Posture
Anxiety and Depression
How can I prevent myofascial dysfunction?
As myofascial dysfunction is caused by trigger points which result in pain. Several factors can increase the pressure on trigger points and elicit pain. By controlling these risk factors, you can reduce the severity of the dysfunction.
These preventive measures include:
Reduce your stress
Take rest to maximise muscles recovery
Take proper sleep
Use pillow
Avoid carrying the bag on one side
Massage the area after a workout
Eat healthy diet
How to treat myofascial dysfunction?
Treatment of Myofascial dysfunction syndrome includes medication, trigger point injections and physical therapy. Depending upon the severity of the dysfunction, your physician decides which treatment is best for you.
Treatments options include:
Medication:
For pain relief, medicine is considered an essential protocol. Most patients want to get rid of the pain as soon as possible and prefer to use the drug. But always remember treatment only relieves the symptoms temporarily.
Pain-killer: Ibuprofen and naproxen sodium are used to lessen the severity of pain. You can also use high-potency medicine if these tablets don't work. Sometimes, people also use medicated patches placed on the affected part.
Sedatives: Sleep deprivation is one of the biggest problems of myofascial dysfunction, which results in anxiety and restlessness. Clonazepam is used to treat symptoms of anxiety. But always use them after consulting your doctor. Because its increased usage results in habit forming and sleepiness.
Anti-Depressants: Myofascial dysfunction causes severe pain that disturbs sleep and daily living. Such a situation leads to depression and anxiety—anti-depressants like amitriptyline help to reduce these symptoms and ease the pain.
Trigger point Injections:
Sometimes, steroid injections are used at trigger points, releasing them and easing symptoms. You can use them in other ways like:
Dry needling: You can only insert needles in and around the trigger points. This help to release knots in the muscles and hence reduces pain.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a Chinese method of treatment. It is the same as needling, releasing knots and tenderness.
Physical Therapy:
Physical therapy is the most effective treatment protocol for treating myofascial dysfunction syndrome permanently. A therapist makes a plan according to the signs and symptoms of a patient. It includes:
Heating the area: Heating the tender place using heat pads or a hot shower can ease muscle tension. This results in reduce pain and discomfort.
Stretching Exercises: Gently pull the affected area to ease the pain. Apply a stretch and hold it for seven seconds and then release. You feel better. If your pain worsens while stretching, it's better to rest between stretches.
Massage: Massage is one of my favourite treatments for releasing tension knots. You can use massage ball trigger points to break them. Massage improves blood circulation, ultimately leading to pain reduction.
Posture correction: Your posture plays a fundamental role in muscle pain. Posture training, especially of the neck can result in less trigger point formation. You can do strengthening exercises of the surrounding muscles, preventing the burden on any single muscle.
Ultrasound therapy: Ultrasound therapy is an electrical treatment in which ultrasound waves reduce pain and heat the affected part. It improves blood circulation, and that is why it results in muscle recovery.
Ways you can prevent myofascial dysfunction at home
Myofascial dysfunction syndrom can easily control by taking self-care at home. Some of the essential points to be considered include the following:
Do some Rest:
Never burden yourself. Because when you stress your muscles, they tense and cause pain and discomfort. This results in sleepless nights, anxiety and depression.
Relax:
Taking a break and relaxing your muscles with different meditation therapies and techniques is better. You can do painting, crafting, or other things that make you happy.
Massage:
Deep tissue massage improves blood circulation, breaking trigger points and reducing pain. Massage ball trigger points can release with massage ball spiky.
Exercises:
Exercising the muscles gently helps to reduce pain and strengthen your muscles. You can consult your therapist, who will make a plan according to the need of your need.
Dietary intake:
Start eating fresh fruits and vegetables. A nutritionist makes a diet chart according to your body. Try to avoid processed food as it affects your body functions.
Final Verdict
Living with myofascial dysfunction is worst. But you can prevent it and enhance muscle recovery by following the proper treatment protocol. You can take medicine or perform exercises and massage even at home. It depends upon you to find out which treatment works best.
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