Referred Pain: Why Your Pain May be Misleading
Severe or chronic pain in the muscles of the body is a condition known as myofascial pain syndrome. Sometimes, the pain caused by this syndrome can be redirected to another area. If you are suffering from an unexplainable pain, then you may be experiencing referred pain. The experts at WellnessOne of Bellevue can help identify and treat referred pain by addressing its original cause.
What are Trigger Points?
A trigger point is a knot that forms when muscles are overstressed and cannot relax. Trigger points are often a source of pain and tenderness. A trigger point can usually be detected through the skin, feeling like a bump or raised band in a muscle. Putting pressure on a trigger point can often reproduce or increase the pain caused by the knotted muscles.
Why is Pain Referred?
Sometimes, a trigger point can cause pain in another area of the body. This condition is known as referred pain. While there is currently no definitive explanation of the mechanism of referred pain, it is believed to occur when the pain signals from a trigger point are particularly strong. Strong pain sensations may overwhelm a nerve and can be redirected to other nerves, causing pain where there is not actually a problem.
How is Referred Pain Treated?
In order to successfully treat referred pain, the original trigger point must be identified. To find the trigger point, a medical practitioner may physically examine the body in search of muscle knots. Pressure may be put onto each of these knots to discover which one is the source of the referred pain. After the trigger point is located, massage therapy or chiropractic treatment can be used to treat the muscle knot.
At WellnessOne of Bellevue, our team of chiropractors and massage therapists can help identify and treat the cause of your referred pain. To learn more or to schedule an evaluation, give us a call today at (888) 815-2193.
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