MPS can result from injured or traumatized muscles that have not gone through the standard healing process. The condition, also called myofascitis, refers to pain that originates from muscles that are in spasm. MPS affects men and women of all ages but tapers off with advancing age regardless if sedentary or physically active.
"Many people complain of pain that starts in the neck and travels down the arm," Tania Schwarz, LMT, MMP, said. "Another example would be someone with pain that begins in the buttock area and radiates down the leg."
According to Schwarz, who specializes in medical massage therapy, the pain is caused by trigger points, which are tender spots in various areas of the body. In MPS cases and other medical conditions, Schwarz works in conjunction with physicians, who make the diagnosis and then refer the patient to her.
The diagnosis of MPS is usually arrived at after a thorough pain history, physical examination, postural and movement analysis and palpation of active trigger points.
"When someone comes in complaining of radiating pain, I first feel for tight muscle bands and knots, and then work to massage these areas," Schwarz said.
Without proper massage, muscles can get locked into a repeating pain-spasm cycle that develops myofascial trigger points. MPS does not have to be a long-term problem if treated correctly. However, finding the correct treatment is the challenge that many practitioners encounter.
Schwarz's technique is to work on tissues surrounding the trigger points first to relax the muscle. Then she focuses on the trigger points themselves by applying static pressure. This is followed by manipulating the surrounding bands of muscle tissue, applying cold while stretching the muscle and adding moist heat to increase circulation to the affected muscle. A series of medical massage sessions can ultimately decrease or even eliminate the pain.
About the author:
Tania Schwarz, LMT, MMP is nationally certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and licensed by the State of Florida to practice Massage Therapy and Bodywork. Her practice is located at 4243 High Meadows Avenue in Palm City
For more information, call Tania Schwarz at 954-804-2580, e-mail Tania@totalmassageandbodywork.com or visit her Web site, http://www.totalmassageandbodywork.com/.