On Pain of Possible Muscular Origin
Here are articles and samplers that might help you
identify and eliminate aches and pains, from migraine, sinus, and "heel spur" pain,
to fibromyalgia, fatigue, and GI problems.
- Introduction: A quick
Q&A explaining more about how muscles can cause everything
from headaches to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
- Chart: Common Diagnoses with
Possible Muscular Components That arthritis, back pain,
bursitis, even neuralgia might be due to a muscle problem. Links
to a table of muscles that specifically entrap nerves and blood
vessels. If you're looking for that "pinched nerve" you'll find it
here.
- Head Pain
 Knee Pain
- Introduction: Muscles and Knee
Pain. Most knee pain is myofascial in origin. Quadriceps,
hamstrings, and the rarely-mentioned adductors are the
primary muscle groups responsible for knee pain, but in reality,
over a dozen muscles cause knee pain. We'll get more of these up
for you soon, but meanwhile, see the quad and adductor tests,
below.
- Quadriceps Pain Diagrams
and Tests. Do your symptoms match these patterns?
You
may have found the problem that the CT scan couldn't! Kneecap
pain can come from a trigger point in the rectus femoris femoris
muscle -- at a point near the hip bone! It's a common
problem, and the tests and treatments are simple and easy to
follow.
- Adductor Tests. These
may reveal the source of mysterious knee pain plus an amazing
mix of other symptoms ranging from groin/pelvic pain to shin
splints!
Resources
- Books and References
- Treatment
- Find a therapist
near you. This is the home page of the National Association
of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists. Certification requires
formal training, a certifying examination, and continuing
education. Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists are
listed here by region and indicated by CMTPT.
- Neurotherapy,
Biofeedback, and sEMG. Many chronic pains and dysfunctions
originate in the brain and may be the downstream result of head
injury. Regardless of the origin of trauma (whether blows or
concussions, high fever, or drugs), there may be damage to the
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, that is, damage to the
control systems that run your entire body. The result may be
slowed thyroid activity, weight gain, adrenal stress, mild to
severe fatigue, depression, muscle weakness and fibromyalgia.
Dr. Esty is one of the best in the field and one of the few
clinicians that addresses mind, brain and
body. Main office: 7910 Woodmont Ave., Suite 305, Bethesda,
MD 20814, 301-215-7721. Treatment also available in Frederick,
MD.
- Tools and Materials. Once you know where the pain is
actually coming from, you can press out the trigger points
yourself with fingers, a tennis ball, a broomstick or the corner
of a doorway. Or you can use more specialized, more convenient
tools. Pressure
Positive Company offers the original Backnobber and other
tools and products for pain relief. The site includes articles
on trigger points, musculoskeletal pain and fibromyalgia.
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