The muscle injuries sustained in a car accident can become chronic, and it’s important to know when your pain is more than just a muscle ache. Myofascial pain syndrome is a form of chronic pain involving trigger points in the muscles. What may start out as a sore knot in your neck can become an ongoing issue that triggers pain elsewhere in the body, even the teeth.
Injury from an auto accident can create sensitive areas of tight fibers to form within the muscles, causing tender knots to develop. These knots may cause aching pain when pressed. Over time, pain may migrate to other areas of the body. Myofascial pain is a common cause of head and neck pain.
The fascia is a thin connective tissue that encases your muscles, holding them together. This allows your muscles to stretch and contract and function properly. Organs and blood vessels are also surrounded by fascia, which is a complex substance composed primarily of collagen.
Myofascial pain (MFP) syndrome is pain associated with a muscle trigger point that causes pain in another area that’s distant from the trigger point. MFP is a common cause of chronic pain in different parts of the body. Because you may not feel pain in the muscle itself, symptoms can be misleading. This makes recognition and proper management crucial.
An issue with a muscle in your neck can cause head and neck pain, affecting the teeth, sinuses, cheeks, or jaw. If careful evaluation of your teeth rules out dental issues as the origin of your pain, you may have MFP. It may feel like a deep, dull, aching pain in your tooth. As well, a knot in your neck that feels tender could very well be the trigger point for your tooth pain.
If you’ve been in an auto accident and have a sore muscle in your neck along with tooth pain, the two could be connected. It’s important to tell your provider about any unexplained pain or soreness, even if you think it’s unrelated to your auto accident.
Our team at Tulsa Accident Center can get to the root of your pain using the latest diagnostic tools and devise a treatment plan to help you get better.
Myofascial pain syndrome is complex, and symptoms vary greatly from person to person.
Common symptoms of MFP include:
MFP can trigger pain anywhere in the body. Cervical myofascial pain occurs when the fascia that covers the muscles in the neck becomes damaged. Auto accidents commonly cause injuries to the neck.
Symptoms of cervical myofascial pain include:
Treatment for myofascial syndrome is individualized and typically focused on trigger points.
Treatment to address your myofascial pain syndrome may include:
If you’re experiencing symptoms of MFP, it’s crucial to seek medical attention. At Tulsa Accident Center, our team is ready to provide a comprehensive evaluation, rapid diagnosis, and individualized treatment. Our professionals will thoroughly assess areas of pain and ensure you understand all aspects of your treatment.
For more information, give us a call to schedule a visit with a member of our team at our Tulsa, Oklahoma office, or request an appointment online today.
