Myofascial Pain Syndrome
is a localized pain disorder that is diagnosed by eliminating other problems. Janet Travell, MD developed this concept in the 1950's. She defined the syndrome by the presence of trigger points.
Trigger points are taught bands of muscle fibers that are "ropy" and tender to the touch that occur longitudinally along the axis of the muscle or at the junction of muscle and fascia at sites that are the same in
every person. When they are palpated, they create a local twitch response and refer pain to other areas of the body. The trigger points usually occur in more than one area of the body. The referred
pain may be dull, aching and deep and may be constant or sporadic in specific pain reference zones that are predictable and consistent. An active trigger point causes persistent and ongoing pain, whereas a
latent trigger point only causes pain when it is palpated.
Since the fascial system extends from the top of the head to the tips of the toes and interpenetrates every cell of the body, a malfunction in this system may create seemingly unrelated symptoms. This may cause
many people to be misdiagnosed.
Trauma, repetitive motion, lack of activity, stress, tension and poor posture are just some of the underlying common causes of binding in the fascial system. When an area of the fascia becomes bound, it can put abnormal pressure on nerves, muscles, bones and organs. This pressure may be felt as pain.
Myofascial release techniques work to restore the body to proper alignment as it frees the binding of the fascia, thereby correcting the current problem and preventing future occurrences.
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