Can Myofascial Pain cause headaches?

Yes, tight and tender muscles in the neck or upper shoulder can refer pain toward the head. A clinical exam helps assess whether muscle pain contributes to the headache pattern.

How do trigger point injections relate to Myofascial Pain?

Trigger point injections place medicine into selected tender muscle areas. The procedure may help reduce local pain and provide information about the suspected pain source.

Is Myofascial Pain the same as a pinched nerve?

No. Myofascial Pain starts in muscle and fascia, while a pinched nerve can cause pain, tingling, or weakness along a nerve pathway.

Glossary

What Is Myofascial Pain?

Myofascial Pain is pain that starts in muscles and the connective tissue around them, called fascia. The pain may come from tight, sensitive areas known as trigger points. These areas can feel sore when pressed and may send pain to nearby parts of the body, such as the neck, shoulder, or back.

Quick Facts About Myofascial Pain

Key Takeaways About Myofascial Pain

Trigger points are a key feature.
Pain may spread beyond the tender area.
It is not the same as nerve pain.

How Myofascial Pain Works

Myofascial Pain often involves a tight band within a muscle and a tender spot inside that band. Pressing the spot may reproduce the person's familiar pain. The pain may also travel to a nearby area, which is called referred pain.

Related glossary terms: Chronic Pain, Nociceptive Pain, Radicular Pain.

A clinician may check the painful area by asking about symptoms and feeling the muscle. The exam may help separate muscle pain from radicular pain, which follows an irritated nerve. Trigger point injections may place medicine into a painful muscle area to reduce local discomfort and help confirm the pain source.

Trigger Point Injections

Trigger point injections focus on selected tender muscle areas. The treatment plan depends on the pain pattern, examination findings, and other possible causes.

From the Premier Injury Specialists team

When we assess Myofascial Pain, we connect the reported pain pattern with our examination findings. We look for tender muscle bands and trigger points that match the person's symptoms. When trigger point injections are appropriate, we target the identified muscle area and document the response.

Myofascial Pain in Practice: A Real-World Example

A person develops neck and shoulder pain after a collision. The examination finds a tender band in a shoulder muscle, and pressing that spot reproduces the person's usual pain. Trigger point injections may be considered for that identified area.