Myofascial Pain Treatment in St. Clair Shores, MI
Myofascial Pain
Myofascial pain syndrome is ongoing muscle pain caused by trigger points, tight and tender knots in a muscle that can send pain to other areas of the body. At Advanced Physical Medicine in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, we treat it with trigger point injections, intramuscular stimulation (IMS), MLS laser, massage and physical therapy.
Symptoms of Myofascial Pain
Myofascial pain often feels like a deep, nagging ache that does not go away with rest. Common signs include:
- A tender knot you can feel in a muscle, often in the neck, shoulders, upper back or lower back
- Pain that spreads to another area when the knot is pressed, called referred pain
- Muscle stiffness and less range of motion
- Headaches from trigger points in the neck and shoulder muscles
- Poor sleep because of pain
Many patients ask why pain seems to move around the body and come and go. Trigger points in different muscles can flare at different times, which is typical of myofascial pain.
What Causes Myofascial Pain?
Trigger points form when muscle fibers stay contracted. Common causes include:
- Repetitive movements at work or in sport
- Poor posture, long hours at a desk or carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder
- A muscle injury or strain that did not fully recover
- Stress, which keeps muscles tense
- Lack of activity, poor sleep and some nutritional deficiencies
Once a trigger point forms, it can keep itself going: the tight band limits blood flow, the muscle tires and tightens further, and nearby muscles start to guard. Breaking that cycle is the goal of treatment.
Myofascial pain often appears alongside neck pain, back pain and tension headaches. It is also sometimes confused with fibromyalgia, which causes widespread pain rather than pain linked to specific knots.
How We Treat Myofascial Pain
Dr. Stephen Wilson, MD, is double board-certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine and has more than 25 years of experience treating pain, and has significant training in intramuscular stimulation and medical acupuncture. We locate the trigger points by exam and target them directly. Treatment may include:
Trigger Point Injections
Once the physician locates the taut band, a small injection into the trigger point helps the muscle release and can decrease the referred pain. Learn more about trigger point injections.
Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS)
IMS uses acupuncture-type needles placed where muscles have shortened or contracted, or where muscles meet nerves. It is part of our holistic pain relief care.
Medical Massage Therapy
Our certified massage therapist uses trigger point massage to soften the knots. See massage therapy.
MLS Laser Therapy
MLS laser therapy reduces pain and inflammation in the muscle without needles or medication.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy stretches and strengthens the muscles and corrects the posture or movement habits that keep trigger points coming back.
When to See a Doctor for Muscle Pain
Book a visit if muscle pain lasts more than a few weeks, keeps returning in the same spots, spreads to other areas, or interferes with work and sleep. Treating trigger points early often makes the pain easier to control.
See a doctor promptly for muscle pain with fever, a red, hot or swollen area, unexplained weakness, or pain that started after a new medication.
Frequently Asked Questions About Myofascial Pain
What are the symptoms of chronic muscle tension?
Ongoing tightness, tender knots, aching that gets worse with stress or long sitting, headaches and stiffness when you wake up are all common signs.
What is trapezius myofascial pain syndrome?
It is myofascial pain in the trapezius, the large muscle across the top of the shoulders and neck. Trigger points there often cause neck pain and headaches behind the eye or at the temple.
What is the relationship between fascia and fibromyalgia?
Both cause muscle pain, but they are different. Myofascial pain comes from specific trigger points in a muscle, while fibromyalgia causes widespread pain linked to how the nervous system processes pain. Some people have both.
How many trigger point injections will I need?
It varies. Some patients feel relief after one session, while others need a short series combined with therapy and stretching. We review your progress at each visit.
Do you accept insurance?
Advanced Physical Medicine accepts most major insurance plans. Some treatments, such as regenerative injections, may be self-pay, and our staff will go over coverage and costs with you before you start.
Get Help for Myofascial Pain in St. Clair Shores
Book a visit with Advanced Physical Medicine at 24345 Harper Ave, St. Clair Shores, Michigan, or call us at (586) 563-3300. We will find out what is behind your myofascial pain and talk you through every option before anything is decided.
