Saturday, February 15, 2020

The Ins And Outs Of Chronic Myofascial Pain



Understanding chronic myofascial pain relies on our understanding of the illusive myofascial trigger point (TrP).










WHAT IS A TRIGGER POINT?


Trigger points (TrPs) are those knotted up pieces of muscle fiber that feel like a frozen pea in a taut band of average sized muscle. Anyone can usually feel a TrP unless it/they: 
  • are behind bone,
  • are in muscles that are under other muscle,
  • the muscle is too tight to locate the TrP.

If the band of muscle affected is too tight, it may be difficult to isolate the TrP causing pain. A specially trained physician or therapist may only be able to identify the TrP/s by the dysfunction and radiation of symptoms they create. A specific pattern is associated with the location of each specific TrP.


THE GREAT IMITATOR

Myofascial trigger points are the root cause of chronic myofascial pain, also called myofascial pain syndrome or MPS. The cranky knots can cause symptoms that mimic many things. They are not only responsible for pain, they can also cause muscle and joint dysfunction, and they do not have to be big to be mighty. They can cause numbness and tingling, burning and other nerve symptoms when a TrP is entrapping a nerve. These symptoms can be local or radiate in a specific pattern that remains consistent among all patients. Circulation and temperature changes can occur if TrPs are located next to a blood vessel and swelling can develop if the TrP is located next to a blood or lymph vessel.

Trigger points can develop in anybody who experiences muscle strain or injury. Generally, these isolated events can be successfully treated with lasting results. However, that is not the case in myofascial pain syndrome. In MPS trigger points resist treatment, develop in other parts of the body, and persist for a prolonged period.  

You can read more about trigger points, how they are classified and additional resources in “What Is a Trigger Point?”, which is also provided in the header tab of this blog.


WHAT IS CHRONIC MYOFASCIAL PAIN?

“Chronic myofascial pain is a disease that affects the chemicals that cross between nerve endings and muscles. It is literally, a disease at the neuromuscular junction—nerve to muscle... [it] is a chronic disorder in which myofascial trigger points (TrPs) cause sensory, motor, and autonomic symptoms. This condition may develop in muscles that are overstressed, overused, or injured. Different from isolated incidental occurrences of trigger points that can happen to normal individuals, CMP develops when TrPs are apparent in several quadrants of the body and have become chronic. The trigger points may be active, latent, or secondary.”

Excerpt from Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by Celeste Cooper, RN and Jeffrey Miller PhD

Mayo Clinic (accessed February, 2020)  suggests sleep problems and development of fibromyalgia are complications of untreated myofascial pain syndrome. 



Myofascial pain syndrome coexists with many painful conditions. These include ─ but are not limited to ─ fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue/myalgic encephalomyelitis, migraine, spinal degeneration, teeth grinding, restless leg syndrome, TMJ, interstitial cystitis, irritable bladder, arthritic joints, congenital musculoskeletal malformation, repetitive motion, a static position, and more. Chronic myofascial pain can develop from the effect of diseases, such as polio, and can result from injury or post surgical scaring, too.

Hands on myotherapies, ultrasound guided trigger point injections, self-treatment of TrPs, controlling perpetuating factors are things we can do. It is helpful to know I have some control over the beast that can create so much agony.


Additional Reading:


In healing,

Celeste Cooper, RN / Author, Freelancer, Advocate

Think adversity?-See opportunity!



~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~

Learn more about Celeste’s books here. Subscribe to posts by using the information in the upper right hand corner or use the share buttons to share with others. 

Friday, February 7, 2020

Happy With Hemp: Fibromyalgia And Chronic Pain


This post contains affiliate links. See my 


https://HappyFlowerCompany.com


A couple of years ago as a freelance writer, I wrote several articles about cannabis and cannabinoids for Health Central. I gleaned a great deal of information in my writing assignments. In this slideshow, I cover things like the cannabis plant: is it hemp, CBD, or marijuana? Does it matter?

It was from those assignments that I decided to try CBD for my pain. However, the lack of reliability disappointed me. I purchased many different tinctures and topical products. However, there was no certainty about my purchase. Was there really a “broad spectrum” of cannabinoids? My pocketbook was not appreciating the cost of my experiments.

So, when the folks at Happy Flower Company asked me to try hemp, I was curious enough to say yes, and I am glad I did. Finally, I would know the presence of certain cannabinoids and their concentration. I could read the lab reports, which you can find on their website. I could give it a fair analysis independent of the guessing game of other products.


MY EXPERIENCE

There is no cure for my pain generating conditions and I am not making any claims that hemp is a miracle plant; however, I can say my joint pain is better, and my fibromyalgia tenderness has greatly improved.

Additionally:

  • I can use it and still write, because there aren’t any psychoactive effects.
  • The plant has a plethora of cannabinoids and terpenes that work together to provide the best effect.
  • I know the concentration because Happy Flower Company provides the lab reports.
  • It is grown organically.
  • It’s not addictive.
  • It’s affordable.


You can learn more about hemp, here.


WHAT THE HECK IS A TERPENE?

When I first heard this term, I was clueless. Here is what I have learned.

Terpenes are chemicals found in the cannabis sativa species, which includes both hemp and marijuana plants, other plants and foods. They give certain plants, vegetables, and fruits their identifiable aroma, taste, and color. Terpenes often influence the name of cannabis species plants.

You might find this interesting, like I did. In 2015, the European Journal of Pharmacology published the study, “Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory, anti-catabolic and pro-anabolic effects of E-caryophyllene, myrcene and limonene in a cell model of osteoarthritis.” Authors, Rufino, A.T., et al. concluded in particular, myrcene has a significant anti-inflammatory effect, fights the destructive effects on the cartilage matrix and believe it has the ability to halt or slow down cartilage destruction and osteoarthritis.

A more recent study, August 2019, by Jansen, C., et al., Myrcene and terpene regulation of TRPV1, suggests formulations containing mycrene have the potential to produce an analgesic effect.


GETTING AQUAINTED WITH HEMP

Having fibromyalgia, I am super sensitive to many things. Therefore, I found the abundance of terpenes in hemp to be overly strong when smoked. I solved that issue by investing in a leaf vaporizer, problem solved and I feel vaporizing the leaf is healthier.


WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS

My plans are to keep vaping hemp leaf twice a day, because that works best for me. I am eager to try the isolate, because I can reconstitute it into a tincture or topical with a concentration that works best for me.

AND

I have decided to be an advocate for Happy Flower Company, so I can offer you a 15% discount when you use my code:

PainedInkSlayer




*If you are on medications please discuss hemp (cannabinoids) with your doctor or pharmacist. Like medications, including those we buy over the counter, it is a biochemical.   



In healing,

Celeste Cooper, RN / Author, Freelancer, Advocate

Think adversity?-See opportunity!



~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~

Learn more about Celeste’s books here. Subscribe to posts by using the information in the upper right hand corner or use the share buttons to share with others. 

Celeste's Website

Celeste's Website
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