Is There A Surgery For Myofascial Pain Syndrome?

Myofascial pain syndrome is a musculoskeletal disorder. It is a chronic pain disorder.¹ This condition exhibits deep pain when certain trigger points in your muscles are pressed. Sometimes, the pain may be in an altogether different site, known as referred pain. The pain is usually focal or asymmetrical in nature.

There is no surgery as a part of treatment if myofascial pain syndrome is a primary diagnosis. The treatment regimen is a multidimensional one for this condition. A single treatment usually is not followed and does not give results in myofascial pain syndrome. The treatment regimen is usually a combination of two or more therapies meant to treat this condition. Surgery is not a part of this treatment regime. However, if there is an underlying cause that has led to myofascial pain syndrome and that underlying cause has surgery as the option, then a surgery may be carried out to treat that cause, to help myofascial pain syndrome.

The treatment regimen or therapies include-

Medicines-

Certain medicines can help in alleviating signs and symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome. These may include-

Over-the-counter NSAIDs–

• These are also known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Examples are acetaminophen, ibuprofen etc.
• These help in alleviating pain and swelling

Pain Killers-

• Also known as pain relievers or analgesics, these also help in alleviating pain
• Examples of analgesics are diclofenac sodium, tramadol, COX-2 inhibitors etc.
• It is advisable to take NSAIDs and pain killers as per your doctor’s instructions as a long term and wrong dose can cause serious side effects

Muscle Relaxants–

• These medicines help in reducing muscle spasms, thus reducing pain ²
• Examples of muscle relaxants are benzodiazepines, tizanidine etc.

Anticonvulsants-

• These may help in controlling muscle spasms and alleviating pain
• Examples of anticonvulsants are gabapentin, pregabalin etc.

Antidepressants–

• These are usually prescribed if there is a chronic pain, nerve pain or fibromyalgia
• These signs are similar to myofascial pain syndrome

Injections-

• A neurotoxin known as botulinum type A exerts a preventive effect on muscle contractions and also have pain alleviating effects
• Hence, these are prescribed by some

Dry Needling–

• Dry needling means inserting just a needle at the trigger points to break the tension
• This may be a painful procedure, but is one of the most effective ways of treating myofascial pain syndrome
• It is done by using acupuncture needles by some physicians, as hypodermic needles cause considerably more pain than acupuncture needles

Injections-

• Similar to dry needling, this procedure involves injecting a solution instead of just inserting a dry needle
• These solutions may help in alleviating pain and controlling muscle spasms
• This procedure also causes less discomfort than dry needling

Ultrasound Therapy-

• In this method, sound waves are introduced in the muscle at the trigger point ³
• The sound waves warm up the muscles and relax them, thus alleviating muscle stiffness and pain
• This method may also improve blood circulation and help in removing scar tissue
• This method can prove extremely beneficial in reducing stiffness and especially so if done before stretching.

Massage Therapy–

• This therapy improves blood circulation and also help in alleviating stiffness of muscles
• It warms up the muscles and eases pain
• A massage therapy is performed using various methods trigger point pressure release, acupressure etc.

Spraying- And Stretching-

• Stretching has proven to be a lot helpful in many people with myofascial pain syndrome
• Physiotherapists may apply a numbing spray to the affected muscle before stretching
• This will help in reducing the pain and provide muscles with the mobility they need

Surgery is not required in primary cases of myofascial pain syndrome. However, if this condition is caused due to some other underlying cause and that cause requires a surgical attention, then surgery may be performed to eliminate the root cause, as per doctor’s indications.

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Also Read:

• Can Myofascial Pain Syndrome Turn Into Fibromyalgia?
• Lifestyle Changes For Myofascial Pain Syndrome
• What If Myofascial Pain Syndrome Goes Untreated?
• Can Myofascial Pain Syndrome Cause Headaches?
• How To Cope With Myofascial Pain Syndrome?
• Is Myofascial Pain Syndrome Hereditary?
• Is Myofascial Pain Syndrome Inflammatory?