Among many other chronic conditions, researchers have now found that shockwave therapy can treat myofascial pain syndrome. Myofascial pain syndrome is a long-term pain condition. It involves some muscles and the thin cover of tissue that holds muscles in place, called fascia. This syndrome is characterized by localized muscle tenderness, a palpable intramuscular taut band, and muscle spasms following trigger point injection. It is a musculoskeletal disorder with sensory, motor, and autonomic symptoms.

With this condition, pressure on these areas, also known as trigger points, causes pain. Myofascial trigger points are the primary cause of myofascial pain syndrome, accounting for approximately 54% of chronic pain in the head and neck.

The pain associated with this syndrome can sometimes be felt in other parts of the body. Many patients with myofascial pain syndrome experience shoulder pain, back pain, tension headaches, and face pain. This is called referred pain.

This syndrome can happen after a muscle has been tensed over and over. Repeated motions used in jobs or hobbies can be the cause. So can stress-related muscle tension, poor posture, and weak muscles. In some cases, the cause of myofascial pain is unknown. Common risk factors for developing myofascial pain syndrome include traumatic events, ergonomic factors (overuse activities, abnormal posture), structural factors (spondylosis, scoliosis, osteoarthritis), and systemic factors (hypothyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, iron deficiency).

While almost everyone, at some point in their lives, has experienced muscle pain, for those with myofascial pain syndrome, the pain never goes away. While it’s unclear exactly how many suffer from this syndrome, it is thought that anywhere from 30% to 85% of the population who suffer from myofascial pain suffer from this syndrome. In general, this syndrome is found among people who are 27 to 50 years old.

Traditionally, treatment for myofascial pain syndrome has included medicine, shots into the trigger points, and physical therapy. Pain relievers, such as Advil, Naproxen, and Aleve are commonly given for this syndrome. As well, antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, or muscle relaxants, such as Clonazepam, can be helpful. Other therapies include stretching, massage, dry needling, etc.

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Devices for Myofascial Pain Syndrome

More recently, clinicians have discovered the benefits of extracorporeal shockwave therapy for myofascial pain syndrome. With this treatment method, sound waves are directed at the area of pain. Shockwave therapy works by improving capillary blood circulation in ischemic zones and alters pain signaling in ischemic tissues caused by calcium influx. This modality has proven especially helpful for patients with myofascial pain syndrome of the trapezius muscle.

Clinical Evidence

Sixty subjects aged 18–24 years old with active myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius were studied. Within this study, participants were randomly assigned to either Group A which received shockwave therapy one session/week, Group B which received integrated neuromuscular inhibition three sessions/week, or Group C which received shockwave therapy in addition to integrated neuromuscular inhibition.

All groups completed 4 weeks of treatment. The following main outcome measures were evaluated at baseline and, after 4 weeks of intervention: pain intensity, functional disability, pressure pain threshold (PPT), sympathetic skin response (SSR), and neuromuscular junction response (NMJR).

Multiple comparison analyses showed a substantial difference between the groups, while the major changes favoured group C. In conclusion, the combination of shockwave therapy and integrated neuromuscular inhibition proved the most beneficial when treating myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius.

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy devices provide an effective treatment for myofascial pain syndrome, along with many other conditions. To learn more about how you can incorporate shockwave therapy technology into your practice and enhance your standard of care, please visit: www.shockwavecanada.ca