Treating Myofascial Pain

Abstract

Neuropathic pain invariably affects the musculoskeletal system, causing muscle contracture and shortening: “Myofascial Pain”. Spondylosis, the universal outcome of age, wear and tear, is probably the most common cause of neuropathic pain. By irritating nerve roots, spondylosis can lead to peripheral neuropathy and muscle shortening. Many myofascial syndromes (from Achilles Tendonitis to Tennis Elbow) caused by muscle shortening of spondylotic origin are customarily misconstrued as mundane local conditions. The spondylosis and muscle-shortening model can explain many musculoskeletal pain problems for which there is no alternative clinical diagnosis; it also enables these disparate syndromes to be grouped under one aetiological classification. Intramuscular stimulation effectively relieves pain by releasing muscle, which in turn relieves paraspinal muscle shortening and pressure on nerve roots, as well as stimulating the production of platelet-derived growth factor to promote healing.