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...

398 Members
2,104 Posts
0 Online
Brain & Nervous System
/ Myofascial Pain Syndrome Support Group

Myofascial Release--may be the key for me.

chimerical
chimerical
So this is the good news in the good news/bad news mix that has been my story lately. I got the name of a woman who does myofascial release from Sharogold who posts here. I have gone for 3 sessions and it is really making a difference.

She says my fascia is really tight in a number of spots, The first session she did a lot of work on my back, mainly my ribs. I was really sore the next two days, but I think that is because the scoliosis in my lumbar spine is now beginning to straighten out. The pain in my legs seems a little better, though, which might also come from the spine straightening out.

I don't know if all of you here know what myofascial release is. I could say more, or you could google it. It is not at all painful to experience. The therapist just stretches your skin way to one side or another and holds it. It is expensive. I have to submit the receipts to the insurance company and hope I am reimbursed.

This therapist also took photos of me standing before starting the therapy. They showed how out of balance my body was. She seems very knowledgeable and has had a lot of experience. Thanks, Sharogold! See how helpful this site has been?
Zingara
Zingara
I got my myofascial release treatments covered by insurance. I went to the John Barnes web site and searched for therapists in my state. I found a woman who is a licensed PT and she's able to bill it through insurance. Though, it sounds like your therapist is worth her weight in gold. I'm glad you're having success!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Chimerical, so glad you are seeing Debra! She is terrific. Really helped me through the tough times, for years. And, she's the one who introduced me to Pilates, Feldenkrais and the foam roller! And btw, I always got reimbursed a good amount and she was always helpful in terms of getting the insurance company what they needed.

Sharon :)
www.bodymeow.com
Pumpkin31
Pumpkin31
That's brilliant news my friend! Long may it continue. I'm working on being strong enough to cope with massage therapy / m-f release, that's my aim with the cranio. Anything that helps break up the tight muscles is a good thing.

And the pain? Treat it as a welcome gift from your body. It's a sign that muscles that haven't been able to function are now beginning to move, which gets you a step closer to getting on top of it all.

And then you 'just' have to eliminate the reason the trigger points appeared in the first place, or anything that is keeping them active. Easy peasy. if only! But you get my drift.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yes, once you have the pain under control it's time to start addressing the reasons the trigger points keep popping up in the first place. That can be the part that takes even longer and involves several steps two forward and back. It took me two years to even understand enough of what was going on to get the pain relief I needed. It took another four years to really understand what lifestyle changes (related to stress levels, sleep, work, travel, etc.) and movement/alignment//strengthening/stabilizing/releasing work was required to address the underlying issues. Yes, that's a long haul, but it was well-worth the journey and I've been nearly completely pain free for over a year.

Sharon
www.bodymeow.com
deleted_user
deleted_user
That's where I am stuck in my care. I can get to pain free at times, but not maintain it. That's because the chiro is adjusting my body but I don't have the exercise to help maintain the alignment. His attitude is that eventually, the body gives up and accepts the new position. I think he's right, but only if I am following through.
As it is now, I cannot sweep, rake, vacuum, empty the dishwasher, take long trips in the car, etc. I can maintain things with this limited life only. That's not well.
So, I am trying to figure out what to do about this. Still haven't sold my house, so I am stuck here without the help I need. Or do I give pt another try. Oy! and Grrrr!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Wow, I definitely disagree with what your chiro said, Asunda -- I don't think it's at all true that your body just "gives up" and accepts the aligned position. I could have been re-aligned twice a week for the rest of my life and I don't think it would have held if I just went back to my old movement patterns and hanging on my hypermobile ligaments. Not to mention the fact that if you get re-aligned (whether it's through chiro, PT, myofascial release, massage, whatever) but then never move, you just get more and more deconditioned and new problems can develop (arthritis, joint problems, spine issues, etc.)