Ongoing painful conditions can undermine your ability to work productivity or engage in your usual recreational activities. In some cases, the fascia, a specific part of the muscle, becomes inflamed, which can result in continuous pain. Myofascial release therapy helps with pain management and helps patients resume their normal activities in greater comfort. Here’s a closer look at this condition and the therapies that can help to relieve it.
Understanding Myofascial Pain
The fascia is a web of connective tissue that is found throughout the body. Some of the fascia is located right below the surface of the skin. However, other parts of the fascia lie deep within the bones, muscles, nerves and blood vessels of the body. When the fascia becomes injured or inflamed, the fascia becomes rigid and tight, constricting the tissues within its area. This condition can lead to intense pain that may last for some time after a direct injury has healed.
Symptoms of Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Your doctor may begin to suspect myofascial pain syndrome if you report the following symptoms:
·An aching pain that seems to be deep in the muscle
·Pain that seems to get worse
·A knot in the muscle that seems extremely tender
·Sleeping problems due to pain
Risk Factors for Myofascial Pain Syndrome
A muscle that has sustained a recent injury is more likely to result in myofascial pain syndrome. Proper treatment of these injuries can help to avoid the likelihood of developing fascial pain problems. Sensitive areas in muscle fibers, called “trigger points,” which may remain after standard treatment and, which can result in ongoing pain. Your level of stress and anxiety can also have an influence on whether you experience myofascial pain. Techniques to manage stress and reduce anxiety may be necessary to modulate perception of pain.
Myofascial Release Therapy
Treatment of myofascial pain syndrome involves therapy that helps to stretch and release tight areas within the muscle, to increase blood flow and healing nutrients in the area. Your therapist will manipulate the muscles to detect areas of tightness and soreness. Massage techniques that stretch and apply pressure to trigger points that cause pain. The therapy is done for a number of minutes and for a number of sessions to provide the greatest relief. Myofascial release is often combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, yoga and other techniques.
If you are experiencing chronic muscle or back pain, myofascial release therapy can offer relief from discomfort and better function. The therapists at 1 On 1 Physical Therapy Asheville NC can relieve your pain and help you to get back to the activities you love.
