Muscular or Myofascial Pain is a common problem. Although this disease has been around for a long time, medical professionals and the constantly evolving general population often overlook MPS. Therefore, we feel the need to outline the medical history of MPS for those who may be suffering from it.
After the Second World War, major scientific developments have catapulted surgery into the spotlight of medicine. With the help of advanced technology, this modern ‘evidence-based’ practice spread rapidly across the globe, replacing Traditional with Integrative medicine. In some countries such as the USA or Europe, the trend has gone so far that Alternative Medicine is on the verge of inevitable extinction. With time, we are beginning to realize that despite all that we praise technology for, there are still flaws within our knowledge that eventually force us to rely on traditional methods once again for treatment of some conditions. It happens that one of these conditions is a common disease causing chronic pain at ‘trigger points’ within muscles. Initially dismissed as a non-existent psychological disorder by modern medicine, it was later accepted as a serious physical condition which they named Myofascial pain.
On the other hand, both Chinese and Thai medicine are well familiar with the concept of ‘trigger points’, be it acupuncture points or acupressure points. In fact, individuals who regularly attend Thai massage spas may have come across this very same disease mentioned in a different name. Hence, we owe it to MPS for re-establishing the popularity of traditional healing methods such as Thai massage or Chinese acupuncture in modern society. In addition, modern practitioners are beginning to embrace this old but effective knowledge with their own methods of treatment once again in what we call Integrative Medicine.
Our bodies can be compared to cars; every now and then we need rest and fuel. Hence, if you are experiencing Myofascial pain but are too lazy or ‘busy’ (often an excuse for being lazy), then just keep going! Then when the opportunity comes, simply stop for a r’elaxing Thai massage once or twice.
MPS is not the life threatening disease but usually misdiagnose as more serious condition such as migraine, herniated disc or spodylosis. Usually, this incorrect diagnosis with MPS is not be caured by hi-technology medical treatment. This is because the underlying disease is in fact myofascial pain- the common condition that can be treated effectively with traditional medicine. Simply put, myofascial pain describes reproduction of pain upon applying strain to specific ‘trigger’ points within the muscle. Therefore, perhaps the high prevalence of this disease is not surprisingly, because the underlying cause is over-using muscles beyond their limit. For example, labor workers like farmers or construction workers often consume large amounts of energy in exerting power, leading to chronic muscle pain in the long term. Similarity, although office workers are less physically challenged, they also carry out less exercise, meaning that their muscular threshold is lower and so are more prone to muscle pain. Even professional athletes have been diagnosed with MPS, not because their power threshold is low, but because their training usually requires the muscles to work at unbelievably high demands.
Symptoms characteristic of Myofascial Pain is pain that originates from the ‘trigger points’, which are also specific in themselves. In addition, patients diagnosed with MPS also have other common symptoms such as those affecting the Autonomic Nervous System e.g. Pain in the head and neck often lead to dizziness, muffled hearing, blurred vision. Similarly, pain in the limbs may proceed with cold hand and feet akin to poor blood circulation, and some may also experience increased sweating in those regions.
As symptoms of Myofascial pain can arise in any area of the body where there is muscle, it is often mistaken for other diseases that occur in the same region. For example, Myofascial pain of the head and neck mimics symptoms of cervical spine degeneration and migraine, whereas back pain down the waist and legs is similar to a herniated spinal disc.
But why is it that revolutionary drugs like painkillers, anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants don’t do the job against MPS? Research has shown that although the chemicals within these drugs do possess anti-inflammatory abilities, they are not able to infiltrate the muscle due to poor blood circulation around the area. In addition, it was found that muscle fibers became unusually tight and impenetrable to the drug’s actions. Observant patients may note that when the muscle pain occurs, these fibers will tighten into balls or clumps within the muscle.
These are examples of the 5 most common complaints of pain.
(left to right, top to bottom)
Shoulder pain spreads up the neck and occipital muscle, similar to symptoms of cervical bone degeneration.- Pain in sternocleidomastoid muscle radiates to pain in the skull and eye socket, similar to migraine.
- Pain in muscles of the scapula is referred as deep pain over the shoulder and chest.
- Pain in muscles of the back leads to throbbing pain similar to spinal degeneration.
- Pain in hip muscles radiate down the legs akin to a Herniated Nucleus Pulposus
Treatment
Following on from above, MPS can be treated with traditional Thai massages and acupuncture at a high success rate. They help by relaxing the tense muscle fibers and dissolve or destroy the ‘trigger points’ respectively. Once the body repairs and heals the damage, normal or near normal health is achieved. To assist with the growing awareness of MPS, most hospitals nowadays will have medical professionals who specialize in acupuncture. In addition, some medical equipment such as Ultrasound, Shock Wave, and Laser Therapy can also assist in treating Myofascial pain.
MPS patients usually are bothered or concerned by recurring symptoms should target the root of the problem, meaning the way the use their body from day to day. An effective method is:
- Increasing Fitness through physical exercise. This is very beneficial to all systems of the body, assuming warm up and stretches are performed correctly.
- Using your body in the correct way to reduce deficits. This involves organizing your body to be in the correct posture. Moreover, individuals should recognize the limits of their own bodies and know when to rest and allow recovery. This is no different from driving a car for long distances, where frequent breaks are needed to prevent overheating. In addition, patients may also feel better through regular stretching to relax their muscles as well.