Groups at Risk of Myofascial Pain

Myofascial pain has not been directly linked to specific genetic factors. While no single cause of myofascial pain has been determined, the known potential sources of myofascial pain points to groups at higher risk of experiencing myofascial pain syndrome:

  • Women: Myofascial trigger points are more likely to be active in women than in men, with 55 percent of women having latent trigger points, compared to 45 percent in men. The reason for this is unknown, however it is not believed that women and men experience pain differently or measure pain based on different scales.
  • Middle-age adults: Chronic myofascial pain most frequently develops during middle age. At younger ages, it’s believed that muscles are better able to cope with the strain of stress and overuse.
  • Injured: Injury, trauma or illness increases the odds of developing or activating myofascial trigger points.
  • Stressed: An individual may aggravate a myofascial trigger point as a result of stress or anxiety that leads to increased muscle tension.
  • Inactive: A sedentary lifestyle or significant time spent in poor posture, such as at a desk, can weaken and strain muscles, making the occurrence of a myofascial trigger point more likely.

Overall physical health lowers risk factors associated with myofascial pain symptoms. Having well conditioned strong muscles that can easily handle everyday activities puts an individual at lower risk of the condition. Likewise, the absence of injury, which tightens muscles and makes activity difficult without fatigue or pain, lessens the likelihood of experiencing myofascial pain.

While diet does not directly link to myofascial pain syndrome, overweight individuals are at higher risk as muscles are strained to carry the body’s mass. Removing stressful factors from one’s life can also decrease the risk of myofascial pain, as muscles are prone to tension and tightness as a result of stress.

While everyone carries some risk of experiencing myofascial pain symptoms, by improving physical and mental health in general and on multiple dimensions, risk factors for myofascial pain can be reduced.

Causes of Myofascial Pain

While the exact cause of myofascial pain is unknown, there are some working theories that may explain the symptoms of the disease. Muscle injury or repetitive strain may be an underlying cause, which activate myofascial trigger points. Psychological stressors and physical strain may also increase muscle tension along fibers referred to as the taut band, a hardened ropelike stretch of muscle fibers in which triggers are present. Myofascial pain may also originate from postural stressors, such as poor body posture at a desk, held for prolonged periods.

The word “myofascial” comes from “myo,” meaning muscle tissue, and “fascia,” the connective tissue in and surrounding the muscles. When a trigger point within the muscle is activated, the muscle fibers contract. The resulting sensation from trigger point activation may take the form of referred pain, or pain in an area other than the point of origin. For example, a trigger in the trapezius muscle, which helps raise the shoulder, can shoot pain up the shoulder to the neck and head and can be experienced as a headache.

It is believed that active muscle trigger points can be formed several ways:

  • repetitive overuse injury
  • habitual poor posture
  • direct injury
  • sustained heavy lifting
  • regular muscle tension and clenching as shown in the image to the right
  • prolonged inactivity

When a trigger point becomes active due to injury or irregular use, the muscle fibers containing that trigger point tighten to create a taut band that keeps the muscle in a continuously contracted state. The muscle, in turn, becomes weak and inflexible and may even trap adjacent nerves, leading to secondary pain sensations, such as numbness and aching. If left untreated, surrounding muscles may eventually become overworked as they make up for the affected muscle’s inefficiencies. These overstressed muscles may then develop trigger points as well, creating complex networks of referred pain and myofascial pain patterns.

Trigger points may also be present within the muscle structure in a latent state. In these cases, discomfort is felt primarily if pressure is applied directly to the trigger point. A latent trigger point can become active if the muscle in which it resides is aggravated due to injury, overuse, illness or stress.