Potsdam Fibromyalgia Support group Newsletter April, 2006 Myofascial Pain place that has experienced acute or Myofascial trigger points (TrP) are repetitive trauma. Aggravating areas of localized spasm within a factors may be obvious, like a car muscle. The Latin root ‘myo’ refers to accident, or may be subtle, like poor muscle, and ‘fascia’ is the connective posture. Static positions may cause tissue that surrounds muscles, organs, or aggravate TrP. This explains why and other structures in our body. some people develop pain when they Myofascial TrP are regions of muscle ‘were not doing anything;’ our spasm that affect the surrounding muscles are seldom doing nothing, infraspinatus fascia. The problem seems to be at the even when we are not moving. neuromuscular junction – where the Repetitive motions may also cause or nerve connects to the muscle. perpetuate TrP, even when the Trigger points are not like regular motion or activity seems innocuous muscle spasm, however. TrP produce ‘referred like walking or typing at a computer. Unlike FMS, pain,’ or pain that radiates or refers to other parts of which affect more women than men, men are the body. For example, the upper trapezius muscle equally likely to get MPS. between your shoulder and neck radiates up into the 1. There are several approaches to treating TrP. head (see diagram), even though the muscle itself First, figure out what you are doing to aggravate does not extend that far. This can make identifying or cause the TrP. Even if it was originally TrP difficult, since the pain is often somewhere caused by an injury, if that injury was more than completely different from the problem. 6 weeks ago, there must be habits or postures Trigger points can also cause other symptoms that aggravate the muscle, preventing it from that people might not think are related to muscles. healing. For example, one of the neck muscles (the 2. Next, don't try to strengthen the sternocleidomastoid, or SCM) can cause earache, muscle, even though it might ringing in the ear, nausea, dizziness, balance be weak. TrP are weak because problems, blurry vision, sore throat, sinus of the neuromuscular problem, congestion, tearing or a droopy eyelid. All this from not because the muscle has one muscle! atrophied. Attempting to Although myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a strengthen the muscle without mechanical problem affecting the muscles, many of first treating the TrP will the symptoms overlap with FMS, making it difficult typically cause the muscle to Tensor fascia to tell the two apart. Many people also have both stay weak, or even to get lata conditions, though the proportion of symptoms weaker. When the TrP from one or the other may change subsides, much of the strength will usually come over time. It is important to know back without any strengthening exercise, and it Soleus which you have, or which is causing is then safe to do more strengthening. your current discomfort, because the 3. Use ice or heat. While heat always feels better treatment is quite different. when it is on, think about whether your muscle MPS is considered a neuromuscular feels better after you take the heat off; if not, condition that results from consider switching to ice. While ice does not mechanical failure of the fascia and always feel as comfortable when it is on, it often muscles. The pain begins in some relieves the muscle spasm much more effectively than heat. Make sure you are pap smear, mammogram, fecal occult blood test, and applying the ice or heat to the source of the pain colonoscopy. To find out if you are eligible, contact the (the TrP) rather than the referred pain Health Living Partnership at (315)386-2325 or toll-free distribution. TENS can also be helpful. at 1-877-239-8969. 4. Use pressure point treatment – sometimes called 'ischemic compression' by applying localized pressure to the TrP for 30-90 seconds; you should feel the spasm 'melt' away. You can use your thumbs, a special cane (e.g., a TheraCane) Health Fair with knobs, tennis balls or special bumpy balls The Potsdam and Massena Fibromyalgia Support or various knobby gadgets. Groups again had a table at the St. Lawrence Center 5. Stretch the muscle slowly and carefully. Health Fair. Health fairs help educate people about FMS – not just people who have FMS, but also family, friends 6. Strengthen only after the TrP pain has resolved. and co-workers. Thanks to those who helped out: Debbie Some useful resources: Wells, Maxine Dodge, Carole Kuznitz, Louise Giroux,  Diagrams of several common TrP can be found Judy Skamperle, Sara Hanley, Carol Palmer, Louise at www.trigger-point-injections.com/where.htm Fregoe and Nancy Alzo. Apologies if I missed anyone. or www.fenixstopspain.com/finding_tps.html  The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief, by Clair Davies & Amber Davies. April Potsdam Meeting:  When Movement Hurts: A Self-Help Manual The Potsdam Fibromyalgia Support Group’s for Treating Trigger Points, by Barbara J. Thursday, April 27th meeting will be "How can you Headley. tell myofascial pain from fibromyalgia? This workshop will help participants identify and Help PT Students Learn About FMS treat their own myofascial trigger points." The It is that time of year, again, when the PT students learn group meets at 6:30 in Clarkson Hall at 59 Main St. about FMS. Support Group members have For more info, contact Canton-Potsdam Hospital volunteered to meet with students in past years Physical Therapy Department at 261-5460. and many have said they enjoyed the experience. This year I am looking for 4-8 May Massena Meeting: people with FMS to come in Thursday, May The Massena Fibromyalgia Support Group’s 4th, from 2:30-4 pm. Participating involves Tuesday, May 9th meeting will be The emotional about 60 minutes of talking, one-on-one, with impact of fibromyalgia. The group will meet at 6:30 at a student and about 30 minutes of allowing Massena Memorial Hospital. For more information, them to do a few tests that a physical therapist contact facilitator Maxine Dodge, at 769-5778 or might do on an initial visit (you do only what [email protected]. you are comfortable doing). If you are available and willing to help, please contact Taking Charge of Fibromyalgia Book Leslie at 268-3761 or [email protected]. By Rosalie Devonshire MSW, LCSW. This is an It is a chance to make the next generation of excellent book with a lot of good info. The info about health care providers more aware of and the emotional impact of FMS, in the last newsletter, was sensitive to FMS. from this book. More information about the book at: www.fibrobook.com. Although this book normally sells Alexander Technique Research in bookstores at $24.95, support groups receive a There may be a research project, this summer, involving discount - $16.00 (+ $3.00 shipping). Because so many people with FMS learning Alexander Technique. people have expressed interest in buying the book, the Research participants would get 8 free group Potsdam and Massena Support Groups are going to place Alexander classes. For more information, contact a bulk order. If you are interested in joining in this order, Leslie at 268-3761 or [email protected]. contact either support group leader (Leslie at [email protected] or 268-3761 OR Maxine at 769- Free Medical Screening : 5778). The Healthy Living Partnership provides free screening tests for people without health insurance. Tests This newsletter is a joint effort of Clarkson University and available include: clinical breast exam, pelvic exam and Canton-Potsdam Hospital. If you would prefer to receive these newsletters electronically, please send your email address to [email protected]. You can access current and previous Potsdam Fibromyalgia Support Group Newsletters on our web site: www.people.clarkson.edu/~lnrussek/FMSG.