Understanding Myofascial Pain

Understanding Myofascial Pain: What Is It And How Does Acupuncture Help?

Myofascial pain is an acute to chronic pain condition characterized by tender areas of skeletal muscle called trigger points that refer pain to other parts of the body. Acupuncture uses trigger point needling to help alleviate this kind of pain. In our latest blog about the difference between dry needling and acupuncture, we talked a lot about myofascial pain and trigger points. We wanted to dive in deeper to help you understand myofascial pain, why it’s essential, and how acupuncture can help alleviate it.

What is Fascia and Myofascial pain?

When you feel pain in your body, you might first attribute it to stiff muscles or joints. However, these sensations are also caused by the fascia surrounding your muscles. Muscle fascia is a thin casing of connective tissue beneath the skin that encapsulates and stabilizes muscles and other internal organs.

Healthy fascia is smooth and flexible, and when in a relaxed state, the layers of fascia can smoothly glide over each other with every move we make. Fascia is comprised of multiple layers with hyaluronic acid in between, acting as a lubricant to reduce friction. Fascia is a vital and powerful part of our body that is responsible for many essential functions. Some of its duties include:

Fascia generates 30-40% of muscular power
Chains of fascia called fascial slings help stabilize our bodies during movements such as walking, jumping, running, lifting, and throwing
Fascia contains sensory cells that monitor muscle movement and contraction
Fascia transfers force to and from nearby muscles

How Does Myofascial Pain Occur?

Because fascia contains many nerve fibers, it is sensitive and, when stressed, can tighten up. If you’ve ever been told you hold stress in your neck, shoulders, and body, this is what it’s referencing! When fascia becomes tight, it crinkles up, creating adhesions. Over time, adhesions worsen, causing the fascia to compress the muscle it surrounds, making a dense, tender knot called a trigger point. Trigger points can cause pain during movement, when pressure is applied, and cause referred pain to other parts of the body. For example, a trigger point in the trapezius muscle can create a referral pattern in the head that can produce a headache. Some activities and habits can cause fascia to condense and become tight around the muscles it encapsulates. Things that cause fascia adhesion and trigger points include:

Repetitive movements that overwork part of the body (often experienced in an occupational context with hairstylists, estheticians, massage therapists, etc.)
Sedentary lifestyle with little physical activity
Physical trauma like injury or surgery
Emotional trauma
Stress and tension

How does acupuncture help myofascial pain? A technique called trigger point acupuncture.

Acupuncturists have been treating hyperirritable bands of fascia for centuries. Originally ashi points were used, first recorded by Sun Simiao in his Tang Dynasty, Qian Jin Yao Fang (Thousand Ducat Formulas). In the modern era, acupuncturists utilize the knowledge of ashi points and incorporate present-day anatomical and physiological knowledge to address myofascial pain in clinical practice. You will commonly hear this referred to as trigger point acupuncture.

To relieve fascia pain, the tight muscle fascia surrounding the muscle needs to relax. The way that acupuncture addresses this is by eliciting a twitch response. The muscle twitch is an involuntary action that helps the muscle contract and then release, unwinding the fascia rigid and tight around the muscle. This twitch response also allows more blood, oxygen, and nutrients to flow to the muscle while also relieving tension at the attachment sites, which can cause pain and inflammation.

During an acupuncture treatment, the needle is inserted directly into the belly of the muscle, eliciting the twitch response. Electroacupuncture and cupping may also be utilized to enhance the process and loosen fascia further. In addition to loosening fascia, this type of needling affects the brain, which reduces the perception of pain by the nerves associated with the trigger point. Some common conditions associated with myofascial pain are:

Neck pain
Lower and upper back pain
Tendonitis and bursitis
Repetitive use injuries
Facial and jaw pain
Headaches
Shoulder and arm pain
Knee pain
Hip pain
Wrist and hand pain
Ankle and foot pain
Muscle tightness and soreness

Myofascial Pain is Treatable.

The good news is myofascial pain is very treatable. Treatment often involves a combination of modalities such as stretching, heat, foam rolling, stress management, mindfulness, physical therapy, and acupuncture.

Many people experience occasional muscle tension and pain. If the pain becomes chronic or severe, interferes with sleep, daily activities, or does not alleviate despite efforts to do so, it is important to reach out to your medical providers. There are many treatment options available, and you don’t have to live in chronic pain.

Pain Free Acupuncture specializes in relieving pain using acupuncture and other Traditional Chinese Medicine modalities. If you are experiencing myofascial or muscular pain, schedule an appointment online with Rachel or give her a call at 801-903-3905 to be seen at the clinic. We look forward to helping you live a pain-free life!

801.903.3905

1345 E 3900 S, UNIT 216 MILLCREEK, UTAH 84124

Understanding Myofascial Pain