Myofascial Pain Syndrome / Trigger Points

Myofascial Pain Syndrome / Trigger Points (TrP’s)

Regional pain syndrome - common soft tissue condition that causes chronic pain (probably affects everyone at some stage)

Latent trigger points – cause stiffness and dysfunction without local pain
Active trigger points – painful

Aetiology:

Pathophysiology:
Trigger point is a focus of hyperirritability in a tissue

Clinical features:
Symptoms:
Aching pain in deep tissues at a distance from trigger point; occasionally have numbness/parathesia rather than pain

Physical findings:
Localised spot of tenderness; muscle usually restricted in range of motion and reduced strength; cam feel taut band (rope like structure) in muscle that can be ‘snapped’ or rolled under finger

Involvement of the foot:

Management:
Muscle stretching
TrP injection
Therapeutic ultrasound

Need to deal with what activated the trigger points

Types of trigger oints:
http://www.nielasher.com/blogs/video-blog/71233797-trigger-point-classification-what-are-the-different-types-of-trigger-points