Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Finding the Right Lawyer in Illinois
by Michael Helfand
(Illinois)
Myofascial Pain Syndrome is the term for chronic muscle pain. The outer covering of the muscle, called the fascia, is affected. Oftentimes the pain is not located in the area that was originally injured or strained.
The original injured area is called the trigger point and the pain that travels down the nerve pathways and is felt beyond the trigger point is called referred pain.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Myofascial Pain Syndrome include not only referred pain and pain at the trigger point but also pain that is deep, persistent and aching as well as muscle stiffness and tight knots. Other symptoms can include limited range of motion, difficulty sleeping and general fatigue as well as depression.
Excessive movement can also cause pain in the affected muscle group but pain in the trigger points may or may not be related to movement. As noted above, trigger points can produce referred pain. So, if a trigger point is located in the muscles in the thigh or calf, it can produce pain the person’s ankles. Trigger points in the head muscles can produce headaches or eye or jaw pain.
Causes
Typically, Myofascial Pain Syndrome is caused by excessive muscle strain or injury at the trigger point. Trigger points are hypersensitive and can develop as the result of a back injury, excessive or repetitive movement or prolonged immobility of a muscle.
Other potential causes include sports injuries like tennis elbow, prolonged poor posture, upset stomach, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, and vitamin deficiencies.
Individuals who are frequently more stressed and anxious may be more likely to develop trigger points because they are more likely to clench their muscles. Also, middle aged adults are more likely get Myofascial Pain Syndrome, as well as women more than men.
Diagnosis
To diagnose Myofascial Pain Syndrome, a physician will take a medical history and will then try to locate the trigger point in the body by applying pressure the area where the pain is occurring.
When the trigger point is found, the person may experience a twitching phenomenon in the muscle.
An active trigger point will usually be extremely sore and is often painful even at rest. A latent trigger point may become active when pressure is applied or when a muscle is strained. Only then does the person become aware of the localized or referred pain.
Treatment
Initial treatment usually involves eliminating overuse of the muscle and the factors that cause injury to the muscle. Further treatment can include injections into the trigger point and drugs such as muscle relaxers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
"Spray and Stretch" is another common treatment where the outer skin is sprayed with a chemical coolant and the muscle is stretched.
Also, if the person becomes depressed or experiences other mental disturbance, anti-depressants or other psych medications may be prescribed. Massage therapy is also another form of treatment that is often utilized. Patients are also directed to get exercise, relax and eat a healthful diet.
Were you injured at work?
Myofascial Pain Syndrome can be work related. Did you slip and fall at work? A slip and fall can cause a trigger point to develop if there was a blunt trauma to your back or arm or other body part.
Do you do repetitive behaviors all day at work? Repetitive behavior, such as repetitive lifting, sitting in a chair that is not the right height or lacks arm rests and back support, or holding a telephone between ear and shoulder for extended periods of time, can cause trigger points and Myofascial Pain Syndrome.
Attorney’s Fees
Your attorney should take your Myofascial Pain Syndrome case on a contingency basis, which means that you do not have to pay anything unless you get something. So, if you receive a settlement amount, your attorney is paid from that amount, but if your receive nothing, your attorney gets nothing. You will not have to spend anything out of pocket.
Now what?
Call us. We are free and we are confidential. We can direct you to an attorney in your area who has handled worker’s compensation cases like yours and will be the right fit for your case.
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Michael Helfand has been an Illinois attorney since 1997 and is founder of FindGreatLawyers.com, the leading resource for Illinois lawyer referrals and legal guidance.
