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...
I HOPE that I have found the last perpetuating factor that has been aggravating my myofascial pain. Devin Starlanyl states, " If you have stubborn chronic pain, you should expect multiple causes and perpetuating factors." For those of you who have read my posts, you know that I have had chronic myofascial pain for 12 years. Over the years I have slowly found the "perpetuating factors". First, an osteopath discovered that I had major mechanical irregularities or imbalances. My right pelvis was rotated forward and upward, sacrum twisted, SI joints jammed, Atlas and C2 out. Then, John Barnes told me that the fascia in my pelvic area was so tight that it was pulling the bones in that area out of position. So I added myofascial release along with the osteopathic treatments to help align my structure. When my osteopath moved, I started seeing an Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractor. Once the Atlas and C2 were in alignment, my headaches and muscle spasms in my back stopped. I still see him once a month to keep my entire structure in alignment. In addition, I had trigger point injections, myotherapy (TrP therapy), Active Release Technique (ART) treatments and finally I started prolotherapy in September to strengthen my ligaments and tendons.
Yesterday I saw a Physiatrist for the first time. I had asked my HMO to refer me to one, but my gp said that the doctor looked at my records and said that she couldn't help me. Go figure! Now that I'm out of the HMO, I was referred to a Physiatrist by my new gp. He spent one hour with me and feels that the root cause of my CMP is Hyperlaxity Syndrome. Well, that explains why my structure was thrown out of alignment when I took golf lessons 12 years ago, and it explains why none of the treatments listed above, except prolotherapy, gave me only temporary relief but didn't get to the source. He wants me to continue prolotherapy to stabalize my bones by strengthening my ligaments and tendons. Also, he has sent me to a PT who has been instructed to work on stabalizing my ankles. She is to give me Range of Motion stretches, gentle myofascial release, and to integrate proper orthotics to improve my foot/ankle alignment. When I'm ready, she will start me on gentle progressive strengthening exercises. After two sessions with her, I'm to call him if I need trigger point injections as the new bodywork may bring up some latent TrPs. I'm scheduled to see him again to evaluate my progress on May 20. Rehab will take time, but I can be patient as long as I feel I'm on the right track. I do believe that finding ALL of the perpetuating factors is the key. Like I said, I hope/pray that this is the last piece of my CMP puzzle. How many more pieces or perpetuating factors could there be???? Hugs to all. Kat
Yesterday I saw a Physiatrist for the first time. I had asked my HMO to refer me to one, but my gp said that the doctor looked at my records and said that she couldn't help me. Go figure! Now that I'm out of the HMO, I was referred to a Physiatrist by my new gp. He spent one hour with me and feels that the root cause of my CMP is Hyperlaxity Syndrome. Well, that explains why my structure was thrown out of alignment when I took golf lessons 12 years ago, and it explains why none of the treatments listed above, except prolotherapy, gave me only temporary relief but didn't get to the source. He wants me to continue prolotherapy to stabalize my bones by strengthening my ligaments and tendons. Also, he has sent me to a PT who has been instructed to work on stabalizing my ankles. She is to give me Range of Motion stretches, gentle myofascial release, and to integrate proper orthotics to improve my foot/ankle alignment. When I'm ready, she will start me on gentle progressive strengthening exercises. After two sessions with her, I'm to call him if I need trigger point injections as the new bodywork may bring up some latent TrPs. I'm scheduled to see him again to evaluate my progress on May 20. Rehab will take time, but I can be patient as long as I feel I'm on the right track. I do believe that finding ALL of the perpetuating factors is the key. Like I said, I hope/pray that this is the last piece of my CMP puzzle. How many more pieces or perpetuating factors could there be???? Hugs to all. Kat
Gosh, I feel the way you do in the regard of, is this the last piece? Perpetuating factors, are and seem to be the route causes of our MPS. but it seems as doctors are NOt knowledable in this field that we must discover that we have additional PF's ourselves.
What was up with the GP saying she can't help you? I guess doing any extra work to help a petient is out these days. I hope this is it, and that the treatment is what you need. Just make sure the PT doesn't have you strengthen those areas with trigger points as you well know. I learned that the hard way.
I didn't know about my perpetuating facotrs, all of the mechanical, compensations and misalignments before now, and I had seen a traditional PT for close to a year, that made me worse instead of better. Now, I feel like I am finally on the right track. It seems to take awhile, but I would say if people are going through treatments and not improving to look at Travell's Cp4 on Perpetuating factors and that may clue you in on what may not be working and what you need to do.
Good luck to you, it sounds like you are moving in a positive direction and you also take the "bull by the horns!"
xo jess
Sharogold, I thought of you when he mentioned hyperlaxity syndrome. I think it is the same as hypermobility. He says mine is a moderate case. I agree that this will be a lifelong effort to keep this under control. Thanks my friends for your comments and support. Kat