What is Myofascial Pain Syndrome?- Causes Symptoms & Ayurvedic Treatment
Abstract
The ayurvedic texts describe three supreme wishes of a human as prana, dhana and loka. Here prana refers to health. Every person desires a healthy body. A disease free body enables the person to fulfill his desires and work efficiently for his dreams. But there are a variety of conditions that may deplete the quality of life of the person. And there are instances when the patient is suffering but the disease is difficult to diagnose. One such condition is myofascial pain syndrome. What is this syndrome? How can one identify its features? Can ayurveda help to manage such conditions? Let us learn the answer to all these questions through the following article.
Introduction
Myofascial pain syndrome is characterized by pain in various regions of the body triggered by pressure on some different points. It is a chronic pain disorder. Everyone has experienced muscle pain at various times but the muscular pain in this condition worsens over time. The pain in this condition occurs when pressure is applied on some sensitive points in the muscles. This pain may affect either adjoining parts or sometimes ever unrelated regions in the body. This is known as referred pain. Let us know about the causes underlying myofascial pain syndrome.
Causes of Myofascial Pain Syndrome
When we discuss the cause of myofascial pain syndrome, injuries and overuse of muscles is considered to be a common cause in a majority of cases. Along with the muscle injury and excess muscle use, muscle weakness, poor posture, cold climate, pinched nerve, etc. may also contribute as a cause of myofascial pain syndrome. Even in some cases, emotional stress can also result in this condition. Let us now discuss the symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome.
Symptoms of Myofascial Pain Syndrome
The symptoms of each disease varies from patient to patient. The common symptoms seen in the patients of myofascial pain syndrome are as follows –
- The nature of pain may be deep aching accompanied with stiffness.
- Tender or sore muscles
- The patient may complain of weak muscles along with the decreased range of motion.
- These symptoms may be accompanied with reduced sleep, headaches, stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue, etc.
After discussing the general causes and symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome, let us now learn about the diagnosis and treatment of myofascial pain syndrome
Diagnosis of Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Myofascial pain syndrome is often a bit difficult to diagnose. It can be confused with some similar conditions such as nerve disorders, bone disorders, ligament problems, etc. There are no confirmatory lab tests, imaging tests, etc to diagnose myofascial pain syndrome. There are some trigger points related to myofascial pain syndrome .The four types of trigger points related to this condition which are as follow
- Active trigger point – It is located within the muscle and when pressure is applied to such a point, local or regional pain is experienced.
- Latent trigger point – This type of trigger point is dormant but has the potential to be active.
- Secondary trigger point – It is located on a site other than the active trigger point and it may be irritated at the same time when active trigger point is irritated.
- Satellite trigger point – This trigger point is overlapped with another trigger point and becomes inactive.
Let us now discuss the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome.
Treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome
The management of myofascial pain syndrome will include physical therapy, puncturing thin needles onto the trigger points, etc. To relieve the muscle tension, spraying a coolant on the muscle and slowly stretching it is also done.Along with these, various other therapies may also be employed such as light therapy – low level, cold laser, ultrasound, etc. Acupressure and relaxation therapies may also be used. These are the different therapies useful in the condition of myofascial pain syndrome which can be used according to the state of the patient and the disease.
Ayurvedic Aspect of Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Ayurveda is a great science. It incorporates numerous health topics with detailed description of the etiology, pathogenesis, management and much more. The one desirous of a healthy body must follow the principles described in the classical samhita of ayurveda. It is very well said that the beginning of health is to know the disease. So, to manage myofascial pain syndrome through ayurveda, it is essential to first understand the scenario according to the ayurvedic perspective.
Myofascial pain syndrome as mentioned earlier is a chronic pain disorder. The pain is considered to be a result of the aggravation of the vata dosha in the body. Therefore, the myofascial pain syndrome is a result of the excessively vitiated vata dosha in the body. The aggravated vata dosha will accumulate in the particular region and will result in pain sensations. To cope up with this condition a variety of management techniques can be applied to balance the vitiated vata dosha.
To balance the vitiated vata dosha, a suitable diet and lifestyle should be followed along with the administration of ayurvedic formulations. Following are the ayurvedic tips to manage the aggravated vata dosha –
- Suitable Diet and Lifestyle – Wheat, drumstick, pointed gourd, pomegranate, brinjal, salt, grapes, etc.
- Unsuitable Diet and Lifestyle – Worrying too much, being awake at night, fatigue, fasting, horse riding, sleeping on cot, etc.
- Ayurvedic herbs- Nirgundi, eranda, rasna, ashwagandha, etc.
The ayurvedic products presented by planet ayurveda for managing the condition of myofascial pain syndrome will be described as follows.
Herbal Remedies by Planet Ayurveda for Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Planet Ayurveda is providing various preparations of natural herbs which are prepared using authentic ways and provide great results in improving the condition of myofascial pain syndrome. All the herbal products manufactured here are free from chemicals, preservatives, starch, additives, colors and fillers. These products are hundred percent natural and are formulated by MD Ayurvedic doctors with deep knowledge of Ayurveda and many years of experience. The formulations are prepared strictly according to the procedures described in the samhitas (classical texts) and therefore are very effective in promoting health and managing the condition of myofascial pain syndrome. These ayurvedic formulations are described as follows.
Product Description
1. Boswellia Curcumin
This is a patent herbal formulation given by Planet Ayurveda consisting of two herbs named Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and Haridra (Curcuma longa). These herbs are anti-inflammatory in properties, stimulant, diaphoretic, and analgesic in nature. Both herbs are good for the pacification of Vata and Kapha dosha which are commonly associated with muscle, bones and joint pains. This formulation is also beneficial in excreting out the endotoxins (ama dosha) from the body.
Dosage: One capsule twice a day after meals with lukewarm water.
2. Yograj Guggul
This is a classical herbal formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda consisting of many herbs such as guggul (Commiphora Mukul), musta (Cyperus rotundus), Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica), etc. Yograj guggul is classically mentioned to deal with various pain sensations and is very beneficial in the maintenance of muscle flexibility and taken as a great source of dietary nutrition for bones and joints also. It helps to relieve inflammation, and pain and is a good rejuvenator.
Dosage: Two tablets two times a day after meals with lukewarm water.
3. Moringa Capsule
Moringa capsules are prepared by Planet Ayurveda using natural extracts of the ayurvedic herb Moringa (Moringa oleifera). Moringa contains numerous medicinal properties which help to promote the health of the individual. It helps to pacify the excessive levels of vata and kapha dosha from the body. The herb of moringa is known to be hot in potency and thus, helps to manage the vata dosha in optimum levels. As discussed earlier, Vata imbalance is responsible for almost all types of pain and neurological diseases. Hence, balancing the vata levels will help to improve the condition of the patient suffering from myofascial pain syndrome.
Dosage – 1 Capsule two times a day after meals.
4. Nirgundi Swaras
Nirgundi swaras is the extract of a beneficial ayurvedic herb nirgundi (Vitex negundo). It has excellent vata pacifying properties. As the root cause of myofascial pain syndrome is the aggravation of the vata dosha, nirgundi swaras will balance the vata and hence help in improving the condition of myofascial pain syndrome.
Dosage– 2 teaspoon two times a day, after meals.
5. Vrihat vatchintamani Ras
Vrihat vatchintamani ras is prepared using various ayurvedic compounds such as Swarna Bhasma (gold calyx), Rajata Bhasma (silver calyx), Loha Bhasma (Iron calyx), etc. These ingredients in a combination help to pacify the excessive vata dosha from the body. Vata dosha is a factor responsible for most of the pains in the body. In this case, pacifying the vata will help to manage the pain as well as helps to improve the neurological health of the patient. This will help to improve the condition of the patient suffering from myofascial pain syndrome by improving the neurological health along with the management of pain and sensation loss.
Dosage – One pill daily to be chewed with warm ghee
6. Bala Ashwagandha Thailam
Bala Ashwagandha Thailam is a classical ayurvedic formulation, it contains a combination of useful herbs with rich medicinal properties. This formulation acts as analgesic along with providing strength to the muscles and tissues. It is used in a variety of Vata related disorders such as neuralgia, arthritis, etc.
How to Use – Bala Ashwagandha Thailam can be used for external applications. It is advised to warm the oil before applying.
Contact my assistant to prov ide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or call at +91-172-5214030
Conclusion
After discussing the ayurvedic as well as the modern aspect of myofascial pain syndrome along with the management strategies. In a nutshell, it can be concluded that myofascial pain syndrome can be managed very well by following the principles of ayurveda. Ayurveda believes to rectify the disease right from its roots rather than just managing the symptoms. So, by restricting the causative or aggravating factors and following a healthy diet along with the administration of ayurvedic formulations (as described above) the condition can be managed well. The quality of life of the patients suffering from myofascial pain syndrome can be improved up to a great extent.
