Myofascial pain syndrome refers to a disorder affecting the fascia, or connective tissue that covers a muscle or muscle group. An injured muscle may form a “trigger point,” or a taut fibrous band of collagen. A trigger point is actually a “knot” felt deep in muscle tissue that causes pain in the muscle and in a related limb (so-called referred pain). Many times the muscle becomes spastic and numbness in the arm or hand may occur. Myofascial pain syndrome can be mistaken for a pinched nerve, but the treatment is different. Spasms in the muscles to the side of the neck are strongly related to myofascial pain.

Why it hurts:

• You may feel pain from both the injured soft tissue itself and the adjacent nerve, which can radiate through the back, buttocks, and posterior thighs.

Non-surgical treatment options

• Physical therapy
• Massage
• Laser and ultrasound techniques
• Manipulative therapy
• Pain medication
• Trigger point injections