Chronic pain can ruin people's lives and cause stress and despair. Its prevalence even has an adverse effect on the national economy as it slows down the nation's productivity. Through out America people are suffering and, in many cases, suffering needlessly. Chronic pain affects everyone in one-way or another. Chronic pain can render its sufferer incapable of working or even performing normal daily functions. The National Institute for Neurological Disorders estimates that up to 85% of Americans will experience at least one episode of chronic pain sometime in their lives. And, according to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, the majority of those suffering do not have their chronic pain under control. At any given time, more than onethird of all adults in America are suffering with some type of diagnosed chronic musculoskeletal pain disorder. Muscle and joint dysfunction accounts for more than 90% of chronic musculoskeletal pain. The formation of myofascial trigger points (or muscle knots") in myofascial tissues are the primary underlying cause of these musculoskeletal problems. There are many different causes of myofascial trigger points from acute trauma and repetitive motion injuries to deconditioning from the lack of exercise and poor diet. Common myofascial related conditions effect the entire body from top to bottom including; tension headaches, neck pain, rotator cuff problems, low back pain to plantar fascitis. A myofascial trigger point is a tiny section of muscle that gets held in a contracted state. They form in muscles as a result of physical, nutritional and emotional stress to the involved myofascial tissue. Trigger points cause shortening of the muscle, weakness and most of muscle pain. Trigger points generally cause referral symptoms such as pain, ache or tingling that radiates out from the trigger point into different areas of the body. For example, trigger points in the neck can refer pain into the head and in the hip they can cause symptoms down the leg. Unless they are removed, myofacial trigger points can render its victim in a state of recurrent or constant pain. Fortunately, there are available treatments for myofascial conditions. Current treatments for myofascial pain include nutrition, chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy and myofascial trigger point injections. However, pressure massage or trigger point therapy has been found to be one the most effective ways to remove pain-causing trigger points, according to research reported in the Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain. According to chronic pain experts, deep sustained digital pressure on the trigger point creates changes in the tissue that increase the blood flow bringing oxygen and nutrients to the muscle cells. The muscle tissue can then produce more energy allowing the muscle to finally relax. Pressure massage or trigger point therapy is proven to be an effective treatment of myofacial pain, but it is only effective when it is applied through repeated treatments. Unfortunately, the costs associated with repeated sessions with a skilled practitioner for the many myofascial treatments required, may be prohibitive for many sufferers. As research continues, doctors will gain a better understanding of chronic pain and chronic pain management/treatment. With new advancements, there is hope for sufferers. And one day, chronic myofascial pain may be controlled.
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