Major Causes and Trigger Points of Myofascial Pain Syndrome

by Jill Hunter Podiatry Paediatrics

Myofascial pain syndrome is a common disorder that affects our fascia and muscles. The pain is mainly associated with a number of myofascial trigger points. It occurs due to muscle injury, repetitive motions, lack of activities, etc. Myofascial pain syndrome is generally recovered by myofascial therapy. We will discuss the major causes and trigger points of myofascial pain syndrome.

Cause of myofascial pain syndrome

There is no exact cause of myofascial pain syndrome. However, professional myofascial therapists in Perth find some risk factors that can be responsible for this syndrome:

Muscle injury
Muscle strain or repetitive muscle stress
Muscle weakness
Lack of muscle activities
Bad posture
Working in a cold environment for a long period
Emotional stress
Pinched nerve

Other risk factors that contribute to the development of this pain syndrome include:

Hormonal or metabolic problems like diabetic neuropathy or thyroid disease
Vitamin deficiencies
Chronic infections

What are the trigger points of myofascial pain syndrome?

Myofascial trigger points may develop in any muscle. However, According to the professionals in Perth, these trigger points mainly affect upper back, neck and shoulder muscles effectively. Common trigger points include:

Sternocleidomastoid: Sternocleidomastoid is the large muscle that helps to rotate our head and it helps to flexes the neck. It’s mainly located on both sides. The sternocleidomastoid is one of the common trigger points.

Trapezius: Trapezius is a broad, flat, and large triangular back muscle that helps to turn and tilt our neck and head, steady and shrug the shoulders, & twist the arms. Myofascial pain syndrome may affect this muscle.

Levator scapulae: Levator scapulae is a pair of strap muscles that help rotate and raise our shoulder blades. It runs from the first 4 cervical vertebrae to the shoulder. This is a common trigger point of this syndrome.

Infraspinatus: Infraspinatus is a triangular muscle that is a common trigger point of myofascial pain syndrome. It is located on the backside of our shoulder blades. Infraspinatus stabilizes and rotates our shoulder.

Rhomboids: Last but not the least, Rhomboids is an upper back muscle pair that pulls our shoulder blades togetherly when they attach and contract the upper limbs to the shoulder blade. This muscle pair runs from the chest and neck vertebrae to shoulder blade backs diagonally. This is a major trigger point of myofascial pain syndrome.

Myofascial pain syndrome can either be mild or severe. If you experience this pain, call the professionals for myofascial therapy in Perth. Proper diagnosis and treatment give you early recovery.