Myofascial Pain Syndrome Support Group
Myofascial Pain Syndrome (or MPS) is a term used to describe one of the conditions characterized by chronic pain. It is associated with and caused by "trigger points" (TrPs), sensitive and painful areas between the muscle and fascia. The symptoms can range from referred pain through myofascial trigger points to specific pains in other areas of the body. It may be related...
Hi, everyone. I signed up here on DS a few months ago under "Back Pain" and "Chronic Pain" groups because at the time I still did not know exactly what was wrong with me. My story, in short: over 2 years ago, I was driving back to work from doing errands on my lunch break, when the traffic on the highway started to slow to a stop--except for the driver behind me. He rear-ended my vehicle going about 60-70 mph, and that impact propelled my car into the car in front of me. So, double impact. I was taken to the trauma center and soon released with a prescription for a painkiller. The pain increased over the next few days, and the mind-boggling thing was that all of the bones in my shoulders, back, and neck were cracking. I didn't understand what had happened to me. I went to a chiro/PT and she said that my neck was probably straightened in the accident, and she then proceeded to treat me for the next 4 weeks with heat and light therapy. I knew that wouldn't help, but thought maybe time would heal my injuries. Nothing changed. I was having a very difficult time making it through work each day from the pain and pressure. I went to see a different PT and he gave me a bunch of exercises to do, but I was confused because I've always been an athlete--distance runner, gymnast, etc. and muscle strength wasn't a problem for me. I did the exercises for 12 weeks, and again, no improvement. Went to an M.D., had an MRI, and although the MRI showed a slightly herniated disk in my neck and bulging disk in my lumbar, he said it wasn't that bad and there wasn't anything wrong with me. Went to another chiro/PT. He made me hopeful by giving me some adjustments that felt kind of good and new exercises. But after months of treatment, my pain was still getting worse. Went to another MD and he said my MRI looked fine and what I have is just a nuisance--my diagnosis was "a car wacked me." I had to quit work and I have no health insurance anymore. After googling, I came upon Clair Davies' book. Enlightenment! This is what is wrong with me. I found the most horrible trigger points in my glutes and I'm sure I must have a bunch in my back and neck. I just started working on the ones in my glutes a few days ago--I already feel like I have some improvement. Less pull on my s.i. joints. Now, why couldn't any of these so-called medical professionals tell me about MPS? I've spent the last 2 1/2 years in pain not getting why. I am outraged.
I've read some of the discussions and journal entries on here during the last couple of days. My heart is breaking reading some of these, and I am fuming at our so-called healthcare system. I'm also curious as to why some people are getting better and others aren't. I am so thankful that this group is in place so that we can learn from each other and just be there for each other. Some of your journal entries have been very inspiring to me. I like reading about the idea of being proud of what the normals would consider small accomplishments--just getting out of the house for a while. I've been frustrated that I haven't been able to go to dinner often with my friends or go to the movies (I can't sit hardly at all anymore). I used to love to run, and some days, I can't even walk far. If anyone has any tips for a girl whose just realized she has a bunch of trigger points, please let me know. I welcome, "Have you tried...." God bless you all; you have already helped me so much by inspiring with your mental strength.
I've read some of the discussions and journal entries on here during the last couple of days. My heart is breaking reading some of these, and I am fuming at our so-called healthcare system. I'm also curious as to why some people are getting better and others aren't. I am so thankful that this group is in place so that we can learn from each other and just be there for each other. Some of your journal entries have been very inspiring to me. I like reading about the idea of being proud of what the normals would consider small accomplishments--just getting out of the house for a while. I've been frustrated that I haven't been able to go to dinner often with my friends or go to the movies (I can't sit hardly at all anymore). I used to love to run, and some days, I can't even walk far. If anyone has any tips for a girl whose just realized she has a bunch of trigger points, please let me know. I welcome, "Have you tried...." God bless you all; you have already helped me so much by inspiring with your mental strength.
My story is that I had two herniated disks in my neck. For two years, I tried every therapy to avoid surgery. My muscles tensed more by guarding my injury and I believe that's what caused the MPS to sink its teeth into me. I had surgery about 9 months ago and some of my pain has diminished. I'm wondering if the trauma you sustained during your accident produced this muscular guarding too.
What modalities are you pursuing to relieve the MPS?
I have hypermobility, was born with congenital hips which means they are shallow, posture problems and a lot of emotional stress, so I'm having to approach recovery from all angles and am just a beginner in this starting last spring. A diagnoses I mean, not the disorder. That began long ago and like you I'm pretty disgusted that the medical profession is so behind on this.
Keep reading. There are posts to newcomers that have a lot of info. You already have a good start with Claire Davies book. It's all a learning experience for all of us so you'll find lots of support. Sorry you have to be here too.
Asunda, I'm glad you've made the decision to start your journey towards wellness. No one deserves a life of pain. I understand how the journey to heal yourself can be a very difficult challenge. I mean, one's most important asset, her health, is riding on multiple decisions to be made. It's a very daunting task. I usually love to solve problems, but trying to solve my problem of pain interfering with every aspect of my life is an exception. It's not one of those "fun" challenges. With that said, I believe every problem does have a solution. It's just we don't have the information we need to solve this problem yet. I'm going to search for the solution until we get relief.
I know what you mean about the healthcare system. I especially get irrate when i read about if this condition is caugt in the acute stage, then it can be resolved. Well, I too, am way past the acute stage. My Myofascial pain syndrome began with tight muscles in my pelvic floor leading to nerve pain.. diagnosed as pudendal neuralgia when in reality it is just another myofascial pain syndrome. I was hit by a car as well, as a passenger though, and tossed around the car, even with a seatbelt. I have pain from the buttocks down, legs, calves, heels ....
Let me know if i can be of any help to you. I am right now, having a down spell and it is our "burden" to try and find what therapy or therapies work for us. i WISH there was someone in our corner giving us direction and guidance, but i find that this has to be treated with medication, stretching, relaxaton, and then finding a bodyworker to do something that will help with trigger points and pain. My hubby does the trigger point work, I am in PT 3xs a week for pelvic pain, and I am going to see a medical accupuncturist in Jan. There are methodologies out there, it is all about MANAGING this disease and getting on with life. I am not there yet, but hope to be soon. I can empathize with you, as I know as the years go by it seems so long!! I look forward to hearing more from you.
xojess
Incidently, your accident sounds very similar to one of mine, the one that caused the most problems. This woman drove into the back of my car at high speed and then actually said to me 'sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going'! I actually watched her drive into my car in the rearview mirror, and tensed massively just before the impact, which made things so much worse. Definatley watch out for the unconscious muscle guarding.
Ian
I have been successfully treating glutes, vastus lateralis, piriformis, and TFL. I have gone from barely able to walk on a bad day to walking 3 to 4 miles a day now. I still have pain, but I feel like I have it on the run.
I think that the key to success are self treatment and plenty of it. I don't know what you are using for a ball, but IMO a tennis ball would be too soft for an athlete. I use a racket ball; it's a little smaller, much harder and available at WalMart for about $3.00.
It is difficult at first to learn how to relax the outer muscles (gluteus maximus) so that you can get at the the TrPs that lie below. I have learned that if I want to relax the left GM while rolling with the wall against the wall I can lightly lift my left heel off the ground. At this point my weight is on my R leg and my left shoulder against the wall. By changing the angle of you R foot relative to the wall, you can move to get at all of the muscles in the rump as well as the TFL.
Hope this helps
When I first started, I couldn't handle the work. Everything was flaring everything. I was throwing up because the psoas muscles were tight and I couldn't get to them nor could the therapist.
With hypermobile joints, I needed help in stretching. And I had hundreds of trigger points flared up. I couldn't work them every day or they got worse instead of better.
Now I am at that point where I can work them daily. But it took two months to get there.
Maybe this is because it went undiagnosed for so long. I don't know. But, keep sharing because your experience is helping me learn that I can go further sometimes. It's that balance between enough and too much.
I use a half foam roller. I'm 5'6" tall. Be sure to use the proper size if you get one as the spine can easily be over extended. I like it for stretching out my chest muscles. Tink
Massage-the best thing for it!
warm water therapy
trigger point shots
stretching-helps tons!
Felenkrais exercises
**Find a pt who is experienced with treating mps and a good massage therapist.
Best wishes in getting better. Hugs.
I'm a little late, but would like to welcome you to the group. I don't think that anyone mentioned that tiredgurl compiled information that Jess originally posted for newbies. Look back to previous posts and find the one titled Jessie's threads for new ppl by tiredgurl. You will have to go back about 6+ pages to find it. Also, check out the recent post on Trigger Points, especially reading Sharon's comments on perpetuating factors. Since myofascial pain "happens because of mechanical failures", finding the underlying source(s) is an important aspect that we often forget as we are concentrating on deactivating the trigger points. These perpetuating factors need to be discovered and addressed as well as deactivating the trigger points.
I also feel that in addition to Clair Davies' book, Devin Starlanyl's book, Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome A Survival Manual is a good one to have. I hope you will find our group helpful in navigating what I call the complicated maze of myofascial pain. It seems that each of us has to find our way through the maze, because what helps one person, may not help another. Take care. Kat
Welcome! I think this site is just wonderful. There are many caring, compassionate people, who can relate to each other. Many of us experience or experienced similar types of pain and we can throw out suggestions for treatments as well as medications on this site. I have learned a lot from friends on here, and even more importantly, I have felt great compassion and support from this group,
I'd love to chat more about your situation and possible treatments. It is so terrible that you have been given the run-around so much. This is not a new story, but it is incredibly frustrating to hear as it happens too often. Let's chat sometime:)