- Description
- Pains and aches, radiating from muscles and
their attachments
- Usually in neck, shoulders
and back
- Often has "trigger
points"
- May radiate as referred pain into arms,
buttocks or thighs mimicking nerve pains
-
- Cause
- Neck and back sprains; discogenic
spine pain with chronic muscle spasms
-
- Treatment
- Good candidate for
triggerpoint
treatment:
- Physical therapy with heat, massage,
ultrasound
- TENS unit
- Acupuncture
-
Triggerpoint injections
-
- Example
- A patient sprained his back while lifting a
heavy object
- Developed persistent back stiffness with
painful nodules in the muscles
- Pressure at the point may cause pain referred
into thighs
- Massage, heat, ultrasound gives temporary
relief
- Muscle relaxants and NSAIDs are moderately
effective
-
- Results
- 50-60% pain relief (temporary - injections
can be repeated)
- Decreased need for medication
- Increased activity level; expedited returned
to work
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