Myofascial Pain Syndrome Treatment Overview

Care Plan
First steps to consider
- If you have symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome, like deep, constant muscle pain and knots that cause pain to radiate, you should see a healthcare provider to get a treatment plan.
- Treatment typically includes a combination of medications, trigger point injections, exercise, massage, and physical therapy.
Symptom relief
- OTC anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help relieve muscle tightness.
- Stretching and massage of the tense area can also help relieve muscle tension.
- Placing a heating pad on sore muscles can be soothing and help relax the muscle.
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Treat
When to see a healthcare provider
Always see a healthcare provider—either a primary care provider or orthopedist—to get a diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). The main symptoms are pain, muscle stiffness, and the development of trigger points (tight, contracted bands of fibers in your muscles).
It’s important to see a doctor right away, ideally before trigger points develop, to improve the chance it can be treated successfully. Your doctor will also want to check for other conditions with similar symptoms, like fibromyalgia.
Getting diagnosed
MPS is usually diagnosed based on your symptoms and a physical exam. There is no specific test that can identify the condition.
What to expect from your doctor visit
- Your provider may refer you to a physical therapist, who can lead you through gentle stretching exercises to help relieve muscle pain. If you have trigger point pain when stretching, the therapist may spray a numbing solution on your skin. They may also do transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which uses low levels of electric current to reduce pain levels.
- If OTC pain relievers don’t help, you may be prescribed one of several types of medications. Options include the antidepressants amitriptyline (Elavil) and duloxetine (Cymbalta), a muscle relaxant like cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), an anticonvulsant like pregabalin (Lyrica), and a benzodiazepine like clonazepam (Klonopin).
- Dry/wet needling may be recommended to reduce pain, muscle tension, and stiffness. Inserting a needle (dry needling) into the trigger point may break up the tension. In some cases, the provider can inject a numbing agent or steroid (wet needling, also known as trigger point injections).
- Your provider may recommend therapeutic ultrasound. Use of sound waves may increase blood circulation and warm the area, which can bring relief and promote healing in muscles.
- Acupuncture may decrease pain and improve physical function in people with MPS.
- Injecting Botox into trigger points may help relax the muscles and block feelings of pain.
Prescription myofascial pain syndrome medications
- Antidepressants: amitriptyline (Elavil), duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Muscle relaxants: cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
- Anticonvulsant: pregabalin (Lyrica)
- Benzodiazepine: clonazepam (Klonopin)
Types of myofascial pain syndrome providers
- A primary care provider can treat mild to moderate symptoms.
- An orthopedist is a doctor who specializes in conditions that affect the bones, muscles, and tendons.
- If you have chronic MPS, you may be referred to a physiatrist, who specializes in pain management.
- A physical therapist can teach you stretching exercises that help relieve pain.
Treating myofascial pain syndrome at home
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is usually treated by a healthcare provider, but there are ways to help reduce your pain and symptoms at home.
- Massaging may help. Massage the tight muscles manually or by acupressure.
- Using a massage percussion device (massage gun) applied directly on trigger points may give you instant pain relief and release muscle tension.
- Applying heat using a heat pack or warm towel to the painful area can help relieve muscle tension and pain.
- Topical OTC lidocaine patches (Aspercreme, Salonpas) or diclofenac patches or gels (Voltaren) help relieve pain.
- OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen may help pain.
OTC medications
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- Naproxen (Aleve)
- Diclofenac (Voltaren)
Wellness and prevention
- Improving your posture can help treat and also prevent myofascial pain, especially in your neck. You can improve your posture by stretching and trying not to stay in the same position for a long period of time.
- Doing exercises that strengthen muscles surrounding your trigger points will help avoid muscle overuse. A physical therapist can help you create a strength-training program.
- Try to reduce your stress and practice relaxation techniques to reduce muscle tension.
- Keep a regular sleep schedule to improve your sleep.
FAQ