Medically reviewed by Misty Seidenburg
An estimated 50 million adults in the U.S. have chronic pain, and for many, pain originates in the muscles and surrounding fascia. This common condition causes tight, tender muscle knots that can be painful to touch and can cause referred pain in other areas of the body. However, the good news is that releasing these trigger points through myofascial release therapy can bring considerable relief and improve flexibility and range of motion for a better quality of life.
Fascia is connective tissue made of collagen found throughout the body. It surrounds and supports bones, muscles, organs, and other structures and helps them move and slide against each other. Fascia is meant to be flexible, smooth, and slippery. But at times, it can become stiff and sticky, tightening around muscles, restricting movement, and causing muscle knots or trigger points to form.
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is chronic fascia inflammation that causes pain in one or multiple areas of the body. Symptoms of MPS vary from person to person. They may include:
Over time, MPS symptoms can become so intense that they affect mobility, daily tasks, hobbies, work, and sleep. Fatigue, headaches, and sleep problems are commonly associated with myofascial pain.
While the precise cause of MPS is still unknown, experts have identified certain risk factors that contribute to myofascial pain:
You may be surprised to know your emotions also affect healthy muscle function. Anxiety and stress cause muscles to become tense. Muscle tension is like a body reflex or an unconscious reaction to protect the body from injury. Chronic stress causes muscles to remain in a perpetual state of tenseness, leading to pain and stiffness, among other symptoms.
Myofascial release manual therapy involves sustained pressure to tense or rigid muscle areas. Physical therapists may use compression, rolling, or kneading manual massage movements to stretch and lengthen muscle fibers and improve fascia flexibility.
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is another common physical therapy modality in which the therapist uses specialized tools tailored to the body’s curves to stretch and loosen tight tissues.
Myofascial release relieves muscle tension and increases blood flow to the area, facilitating tissue recovery. This is especially beneficial for people rehabbing from injuries.
Myofascial release is used to treat a range of painful conditions, including:
Myofascial release is beneficial as a stand-alone treatment or when combined with other physical therapy techniques. Therapeutic exercise and stretching, active-release therapy, and dry-needling to release trigger points are also effective for achieving pain relief and moving more freely.
Every physical therapy patient’s treatment plan is unique and custom-created to address their unique needs and rehabilitation goals. To get started, schedule an initial evaluation with a physical therapy clinic in your area.
As you notice improvement and enjoy the benefits of a myofascial trigger point release, it’s important to take steps to prevent the future recurrence of MPS. Try these simple strategies to keep your muscles long, loose, and pain-free.
Muscle knots seem to be a symptom of modern life. But they are also treatable with physical therapy. Take the first step toward relief by requesting an appointment with a BenchMark Physical Therapy clinic near you.
