Myofacial Pain Syndrome
Hi everyone. Does anyone out there suffer from myofascial pain syndrome? I get it bad in my upper back between the shoulders along the inside edges of my shoulder blades. I have these stubborn little areas of lumpy fascia that I can’t seem to get rid of no matter what. Moist heat helps and so does massage but only temporarily. I’ve also had trigger point injections and dry needling also providing only minor temporary relief. Stress and exercise that involves my upper back muscles also irritates the area intensely. Lyrica seems to help a bit as well as narcotic pain medications but I really don’t want to become dependent on these drugs. I can’t get rid of the multiple lumps and knots no matter what I do.
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@mrhappy, Yes, this "anyone" suffers immeasurably from myofascial pain syndrome. This condition preceded the SFN diagnosis and so I have been on a search for comfort for about 6 years. Because the fascia is everywhere and covers everything, it is tough to be totally pain-free at any time. It does appear that the fascia in areas around former surgeries, e.g. knee replacement, shoulder replacement, is the first to speak up and say "notice me". MFR or myofascial release is the only treatment modality that helps at all. There are layers of fascia throughout our bodies and those layers require time to become unrestricted. MFR therapists can find restrictions and apply the appropriate gentle hands-on treatment. I go faithfully every week and after time an area becomes unrestricted. My ribcage was a mess and movement was extremely painful. After several months, I now rarely notice any discomfort in that area and I feel that relief is more than temporary. It is best to make sure the MFR therapist has an "Expert" level certification to ensure the best outcome. Pain control is another challenge and I have chosen medical cannabis to avoid addictive medications. Hope this feedback helps. I have great empathy for your suffering. May you be safe and free from discomfort.
Thank you for your response! I will seek out an MFR therapist in my area and will hopefully have some success. Unfortunately my state does not yet allow medical cannabis to be prescribed. I wish you continued success in your treatment!
They will pass the law in 2020. And, someday, people will wonder why it took so long. In Genesis we are allowed to eat or use all herbs. Think about it.
I found your post interesting regarding trigger point injections.
My pain MGMT doctor doesn't support them. How long did they last for you? What exactly were you injected with? I may try them.....
How often do you stretch your affected muscles? My chiropractor said 3 times a week, but I do more for relief..
I can only tell you my journey ..
In regards to your similar issue to mine except my knots, trigger points are in my glute medius.
I quit physical therapy and joined Planet Fitness and LAFitness gyms thru the silver sneaker program through United healthcare..YMCA is also free through the program.
I mildly stretch in the morning at home because I'm stiff in the morning.....then off to The hydro therapy massage chairs at planet fitness.. it feels so good and it helps with the pain . Then I stretch again using the Precor machine and other ways..
I do strength exersizes for my core and back at the gym.. I use DVDs youtube to educate myself on stretching.
I use a foam ball to compress the knots (adhesions, trigger points) that hurts at first but it breaks up the tension and it won't hurt as much over time..some use a tennis ball..
Don't just focus on stretching your upper back...do your whole body..I can't stress enough how much stretching has helped me.
I do light muscle exercises right now, not too much, because like you, it hurts...
I began to swim at LA fitness this week.
The jacuzzi and sauna feels good too.
I don't know how old you are. But do join a gym if your not going, they are so worth it. Make sure you eat healthy .
I have done these things for only 2 half months and I feel 75% better.
I hope you the best.
Let me know
@mrhappy I had issues with glute trigger points and whole chains of trigger points from lower back to tight IT bands down quads and tight hamstrings. Found a therapist that used ultrasound while stretching which helped me a lot (that is not a “standard” treatment. That was a self pay situation but within 2-3 1 hour sessions I saw a big difference. Way less stiffness. Some chiropractors use electrical stimulation which also can help, too. Some say gentle movements help (like flowing like tai chi, etc.). Also, try spiked massage balls not just flat ones. There is a curved roller called a Rollga (available in soft and pro and other models). The curves allow you to work in the grooves and also go right up along the spine, too. I would guess some spinal nerve compression issues are driving this. Perhaps the Rollga might really help as it might massage along the spine. Rollga’s helped me a lot with glutes, IT bands, etc. Good luck.
I checked out fascial therapy on YouTube thanks for pointing that out 😁
Thanks for the tips! As with anything like this, its a condition that can me managed but not cured I think. I've thought that Botox injections might help but it's not part of any treatment plan I've seen yet. Foam rolling and other types of rolling have never done much for me. I do need to stretch more and not sit as much!
Thanks! I looked up the Rollga but have used something similar in the past with limited effectiveness. I love the idea of stretching with ultrasound. I am going to try that with my PT.
My husband has been in to see every possble doctor and they believe that he has myofacial pain, but they said they cannot diagnose it. He has pain daily everywhere. We are going to a pain specialist to consider medication. Any ideas on the kinds/types that work?
I can relate to the pain. I have been battling this for 36 years. This happened during labor when i was given a squeeze ball for contractions and i moved my right shoulder up and down causing right wing scapula , long thoracic nerve palsy and brachial plexus neuropathy. A Neurologist told me years ago that he had only read of one other isolated case of similar injuries from labor and that these injuries were common with mail carriers. It took a year of physical therapy to get full range of motion and for my right scapula blade to not protrude and return to at least looking normal. Over the years I have continued physical therapy off and on and had hot packs and ultrasound treatment. I had trugger point injections but did not receive even temporary relief from that. What gave me significant pain relief was taking an antidepressant but after taking it for about 5 years, it took away my personality, blunted my emotions even being on the lowest dose. The antidepressant helped with anxiety from stress but it affected my concentration, focus and memory. I slowly weaned myself off and was managing the pain at a mild to moderate level for the last 8 years until a recent flair up. This flair up is reminding me of the intense pain I experienced years ago but i didn't have osteoarthritis pains here and there to add insult to injury. I am 65-years-old and I am determined to get through this flair up. I have been using moist heat, i lie on golf balls i put in a sock and that is like an acupuncture type pain release. A Pain Management Dr told me to do this years ago. After the moist heat that warms the muscles, exercises, stretches, have someome use a powerful percussion massage gun on the trigger point muscle regions. i put water bottles in freezer and put a sock over the frozen water bottle and place one on each shoulder blade region. I don't like taking medication unless i am hurting and I don't take narcotics, I do have a prescription for a muscle relaxer that works well for my lower back issues but it is not helping with this Myofascial pain. I am taking 600 mg of ibuprofen twice a day and I have been taking this muscle relaxer Metaxalone 800 mg (1) twice a day. I don't want to go back on an antidepressant so i am determined to get through this and hopefully not have another severe flair up
like this. I am thinking I may go to a Pain Management Dr and ask what other treatment options there may be. I have used the Aspercreme with Lidocaine spray and get a little pain relief. When i push through the pain and get distracted, that helps too. I was just telling a friend " I bet there is a support group for people who are experiencing similar pain " and that is why I am sharing my journey.