Myofascial Pain Syndrome

What Is Myofascial Pain Syndrome?

Myofascial Pain Syndrome is a chronic pain disorder that affects the musculoskeletal system. It centers on trigger points—sensitive spots in the tight bands of your muscles or the fascia (the connective tissue that surrounds them). A hallmark of MPS is referred pain. This occurs when pressure applied to a trigger point in one part of the body causes pain in an entirely different area, making the condition sometimes difficult to diagnose without a specialist.

Symptoms

Patients with MPS often describe their symptoms as a persistent heavy ache.

Common signs include:

• Deep, aching pain in localized muscle groups.
• Back pain
• The presence of a “knot” or a palpable tight band in a muscle.
• Feeling of having knots or being tight
• Neck pain
• Pain that worsens with activity or stress.
• A restricted range of motion in the affected area.
• Difficulty sleeping due to discomfort or inability to find a painless position.

Related article: What Causes Muscle Knots In The Lower Left Back?

Our Board certified doctors Amr Hosny, MD, MBA, FASA Book Now David Chu, MD, FAAPMR Book Now Vivek Mehta, MD, FAAPMR Book Now Deepali Gupta, MD, DABA, DABPM Book Now

Causes of MPS

MPS typically develops when a muscle is stressed or injured.

Common causes include:

• Repetitive Motion: Overusing certain muscles through work or sports.
• Poor Posture: Sustained muscle tension from sitting at a desk or looking at a phone.
• Acute Injury: A sudden muscle strain or trauma.
• Stress and Anxiety: Clenching muscles unconsciously due to psychological stress.
• Inactivity: Lack of movement can lead to muscle stiffness and the formation of trigger points.

Related article: Work-Related Injuries

Myofascial Pain Syndrome vs Fibromyalgia

While both conditions involve chronic pain, they are distinct. Fibromyalgia is a systemic condition characterized by widespread pain throughout the entire body, often accompanied by fatigue and “brain fog.” In contrast, Myofascial Pain Syndrome is usually localized to specific muscle groups. While a person can have both, MPS is specifically tied to trigger points and referred pain patterns, rather than a generalized pain response.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome Treatment

Board-certified pain Management Specialists at The Spine & Rehab Group are experts in diagnosing and treating Myofascial Pain Syndrome. We focus on non-surgical, interventional treatments offered at our Manhattan and New Jersey pain management centers to help you return to a pain-free life.

Our customized plans include:

• Physical Therapy: Our specialized physical therapists use manual “myofascial release” techniques and targeted stretching to relax the fascia and deactivate trigger points. We also focus on posture correction to prevent the recurrence of muscle tension.
• Trigger Point Injections (TPI): These are highly effective, in-office procedures where a specialist injects a local anesthetic or corticosteroid directly into the trigger point. This helps the muscle “reset” and relax, often providing immediate relief from referred pain.
• Myofascial pain syndrome medication: Our doctors may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or muscle relaxants to reduce inflammation and soothe the hypersensitivity of the affected muscle fibers.
• Alternative Treatments: We integrate holistic options such as Acupuncture and Medical Massage Therapy. These treatments improve blood flow to the “knots” and help the body naturally release the tension trapped within the myofascial tissue.

Read more: Treatment for No Fault Injuries

The Spine & Rehab Group’s Myofascial Pain Specialists

You don’t have to live with the constant ache of Myofascial Pain Syndrome. Our top-rated pain specialists are dedicated to finding the source of your pain and providing effective, non-invasive treatments. Contact The Spine & Rehab Group today to schedule your consultation at one of our convenient New York City or New Jersey offices.

Dr. Hosny is a distinguished physician, educator, and healthcare leader with a commitment to advancing health equity and accessibility in the rapidly evolving landscape of modern healthcare. After completing his residency at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center, affiliated with Columbia University in New York City, he pursued an Interventional Spine Fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, part of Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA.

Dr. Hosny has held prominent roles in academic medicine, including serving as an Associate Clinical Professor at New York Medical College and as the Interventional Spine Fellowship Program Director. These positions reflect his dedication to mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals and advancing the field of interventional spine care.

More About Dr. Hosny

The Spine & Rehab Group
140 NJ-17,
Paramus, NJ 07652
(212) 242-8160