After a day spent meeting deadlines, you find yourself hunched over your computer and your neck resembles a knotted rope, with a dull ache throbbing between your shoulder blades. While these symptoms may seem like typical muscle soreness, the pain lingers for days and even intensifies with certain movements. Sounds familiar? You could be dealing with myofascial pain, a common condition that can limit your ability to carry out your everyday tasks.
Myofascial pain is characterised by pain or discomfort in the fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles1. It can be triggered by various factors, including repetitive motions, poor posture, injuries, and even stress. This discomfort can radiate to other parts of the body, leading to a variety of symptoms. To alleviate myofascial pain and enhance overall well-being, physiotherapy is often recommended. Let’s explore how this approach can benefit those affected by this condition.
1. Pain Relief
Think of your muscles as tangled yarn. When you experience myofascial pain, it’s as if tightness has formed in the connective tissue surrounding the muscles, restricting blood flow and causing discomfort. Physiotherapy, stretching, and gentle movement exercises, can help “unravel” these tightness2. Stretching lengthens the muscle fibres, improving blood flow and reducing tension around the muscle. This can significantly reduce pain and improve your range of motion.
Gentle stretches such as shoulder rolls or arm circles allow the tightness to ease with each movement, gradually increasing your range of motion without having to push through the pain. These exercises, along with other techniques like self-massage with a foam roller, can become your personal toolbox for managing pain flares.
2. Increased Range of Motion
Thanks to the tight muscles that restrict your range of motion, myofascial pain can make even simple movements feel like a struggle. But with targeted exercise tailored for back pain physiotherapy, everyday activities like prolonged sitting or bending down to tie your shoelaces need not be a challenge anymore.
At The Movement Laboratory, our physiotherapists will design a personalised exercise programme that focuses on improving flexibility and range of motion in the affected muscles. This might include specific stretches for your neck, back, or shoulders, alongside exercises that gently mobilise the joints. As your flexibility improves, so will your ability to move with ease and confidence.
3. Decreased Disability
The constant ache you experience with myofascial pain can greatly affect your daily life, making it difficult to work, participate in activities you enjoy, or even get a good night’s sleep. But physiotherapy empowers you to reclaim your life and get back to doing the things you love.
By strengthening the muscles, your physiotherapist can improve your overall muscle function and stability. This allows you to perform daily activities without the aches and discomfort. Imagine being able to play with your kids without worrying about pain, or finally going on that hike you’ve been putting off.
4. Long-Term Benefits
Physiotherapy isn’t just a temporary fix for myofascial pain. It offers long-lasting benefits that contribute to your overall well-being3. Future flare-ups can be prevented by keeping your muscles strong and flexible with regular exercise. Physiotherapy also promotes overall health by improving cardiovascular health, reducing stress, and boosting your mood4. These combined benefits translate to a better quality of life and potentially lower healthcare costs in the long run.
Remember, you don’t have to be alone in your battle against myofascial pain. At The Movement Laboratory, our expert team of physiotherapists will assess your condition, design a tailored exercise programme, and guide you on your journey towards pain management and improved mobility. Contact us to learn how you can take control of your health and start moving towards a pain-free future today!
References
1. Lam, C., Francio, V. T., Gustafson, K., Carroll, M., York, A., & Chadwick, A. L. (2024). Myofascial pain – A major player in musculoskeletal pain. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology, 101944. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.berh.2024.101944
2. Geneen, L. J., Moore, R. A., Clarke, C., Martin, D., Colvin, L. A., & Smith, B. H. (2017). Physical activity and exercise for chronic pain in adults: An overview of Cochrane Reviews. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2017(4). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011279.pub3
3. Guzmán-Pavón, M. J., Cavero-Redondo, I., Martínez-Vizcaíno, V., Fernández-Rodríguez, R., Reina-Gutierrez, S., & Álvarez-Bueno, C. (2020). Effect of Physical Exercise Programs on Myofascial Trigger Points-Related Dysfunctions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.), 21(11), 2986–2996. https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnaa253
4. Mahindru, A., Patil, P., & Agrawal, V. (2023). Role of Physical Activity on Mental Health and Well-Being: A Review. Cureus, 15(1), e33475. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.33475