How to recognize Myo-Fascial Trigger Points
Hard lumps or knots that you can feel in your muscle or connective tissue.They are in persistent spasm and stretching a portion of your muscle.
They are extremely painful when pressed upon.
They often refer pain, numbness, tingling, burning, and itching along fairly predictable nerve pathways.
Myo-Fascial Trigger Points can be:
Active - Causing immediate pain, muscle shortness, and weakness.Latent - Unnoticed until pressure is applied, no immediate pain, feels dense and fibrous to touch.
What can cause Myo-Fascial Trigger Points?
Overuse =Actions including posture, inefficient movement, poor body mechanics, & muscle strain. Also can be aggravated by being overweight, being unfit, carrying an overweight purse or pack, & poor posture due to furniture or car seats.
Unavoidable muscle abuse =
Accidents including, falls, sports, & motor vehicular collisions. muscles over contracted or over stretched.
Unsuspected muscle abuse =
Immobility - braces, slings, and casts.
Surgery - Muscles cut, stretched, and trauma injections - shown to lead to sciatic nerve pain. Steroids - Can mask the pain without treating the underlying myo -fascial condition. Overuse can degrade connective tissue, muscle, bone, ligaments, and tendons.
Pain medications - Anti-inflammatory response can limit healing process, also masking pain can postpone proper treatment.
High blood pressure medications - Calcium channel blockers can irritate and perpetuate trigger points.
Other contributing factors =
Vitamin b-6, magnesium, vitamin c, folic acid other vitamin deficiencies.
Underlying visceral disease, arthritic joints, or other trigger points.
Ulcers, renal colic, myocardial infarction, gall stones, kidney problems, or irritable bowel syndrome.
Chronic infection from a viral or bacterial disease.
Skeletal asymmetry such as short leg or pelvic imbalances.
Hypoglycemia, thyroid malfunction, or anemia .
Food allergies or intolerances. Most commonly wheat or dairy products.
Toxicity due to exposure to organic chemicals or heavy metals.
