Cervical myofascial pain syndrome is a condition that involves damage to the collective layer of tissue that surrounds your neck muscles. This tissue is known as the fascia, and when it tightens or becomes injured, the muscle can ache in a specific spot or it can lead to discomfort that spreads from your neck to your shoulders and head. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at why myofascial pain can develop in your neck, and how a spine specialist can help you overcome the issue.
Causes Of Myofascial Pain Syndrome
We touched on the mechanism of injury in the introduction, but why would this damage occur in the first place? The most common reason for neck myofascial pain to develop is due to fascia injury from overstress. If you put too much strain on a specific muscle or group of muscles in the neck, the fascia can tighten or become injured as it is overburdened. Actions and activities that cause you to put regular strain on your neck can increase your risk of developing myofascial pain syndrome in your neck.
Posture issues are another common reason for myofascial pain. When you have poor posture, your neck is out of a healthy alignment, forcing muscles in the cervical spine to work harder to support your head. This extra work can eventually overstress the neck muscles, injuring it in a similar manner as described above. Acute injury to the neck can also lead to myofascial pain onset. Car accidents and athletic collisions are common sources of trauma for the neck muscles that can lead to myofascial pain syndrome.
When the fascia damage leads to highly localized sensitivity, this is oftentimes referred to as a trigger point. Whether you are dealing with myofascial pain that is causing trigger point discomfort or milder, widespread pain, we’re here to help.
Diagnosing And Treating Myofascial Pain Syndrome
If you are dealing with hyperlocal neck pain or duller neck discomfort that affects your head or shoulders, consider setting up an appointment with a spine specialist like Dr. Sinicropi. He has a strong grasp of the musculoskeletal design of the cervical spine, and he’s confident that he can pinpoint the root cause of your discomfort. More importantly, he also believes that he can find a treatment that will work for you.
He’ll begin by asking you about your discomfort and taking a look at your medical history. He’ll also ask which actions cause discomfort or relief, and what a normal day looks like for you and your spine. Next, he’ll conduct a physical exam to assess any trigger points or feel for sensitivity along certain cervical muscles. In most instances, imaging tests are not needed, but they may be ordered to help rule out other issues like a fracture or a herniated disc.
The first line of treatment usually involves a combination of physical therapy exercises, stretching techniques, posture improvements and medications to help ease discomfort. The vast majority of patients find that symptoms improve significantly when they really pursue a combination of all of these techniques. If you are dealing with significant trigger point discomfort, your provider may recommend a trigger point or botox injection. These injections can work to relax the muscle and allow the fascia to return to a more normal state. Surgery isn’t typically recommended for myofascial pain syndrome, and most patients find relief through conservative methods.
Don’t let neck muscle pain slow you down. Instead, connect with a spine specialist who can figure out what’s going on and how to get you back to full health. For more information about myofascial pain syndrome, or for assistance treating a different issue in your neck or spine, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at the Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
