Myofascial pain syndrome is a disorder in which pressure on sensitive points in the muscles causes pain in seemingly unrelated body parts. The condition most often appears after repeated injury or muscle overuse.

WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS LIKE?
Symptoms include persistent pain or a tender muscle knot. Muscle injury or excessive strain on a particular muscle or muscle group, ligament or tendon is generally the root of the problem. This condition affects about 200,000 people in the US each year, mostly adults.

WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE?
Treatments include physical therapy, medications to relieve pain, local injections, and relaxation techniques. Commonly used medications for this condition include non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, acetaminophen or opioids. Medications for sleep, depression or muscle spasm are sometimes used as well.

WHAT IS FASCIA?
Fascia is the connective tissue that covers the muscles.