Muscle Pain

Muscle pain and myofascial conditions are among the most prevalent yet underrecognized sources of chronic pain. At Global Pain Management, we specialize in identifying the trigger points and muscular imbalances driving your pain and delivering treatments that provide rapid, meaningful relief — helping patients across Maryland return to the activities they value.

What is muscle pain?

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a chronic pain disorder characterized by the presence of myofascial trigger points — hyperirritable, taut bands within a muscle that are painful on compression and produce a predictable pattern of referred pain to distant sites. Common areas affected include the trapezius, rhomboids, levator scapulae, piriformis, quadratus lumborum, and thoracic paraspinal muscles. Trigger points develop in response to acute muscle overload, repetitive low-grade strain, poor posture, psychological stress, or following injury or surgery. Their referred pain patterns can mimic nerve root compression, joint pathology, or even visceral disease, making diagnosis challenging without specialized examination. Beyond MPS, acute muscle pain from spasm, strain, and overuse is extraordinarily common, particularly in the low back, neck, and shoulder girdle. Fibromyalgia — a central sensitization syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disruption, and cognitive symptoms — shares features with myofascial pain but requires a distinct management approach. Muscle pain left untreated tends to perpetuate itself through a cycle of guarding, weakness, and further trigger point formation.

Common symptoms

• Deep, aching muscle pain in a specific region
• Palpable knots or taut bands within muscles
• Referred pain to distant areas when a trigger point is pressed
• Muscle stiffness or reduced range of motion
• Pain that worsens with sustained posture or repetitive activity
• Fatigue, sleep disruption, or mood changes associated with pain
• Headaches originating from neck and shoulder muscle tension

How we treat muscle pain

Trigger point injections (TPIs) are a highly effective intervention for MPS, delivering a small volume of local anesthetic directly into the trigger point to inactivate it, interrupt the pain cycle, and restore normal muscle function. We identify trigger points through careful palpation and patient-reported pain patterns, then inject the most clinically significant points in a single, well-tolerated session. Dry needling — the insertion of a thin needle into a trigger point without injectate — is an alternative technique when indicated. TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) therapy provides additional non-pharmacological pain relief between visits. Medication management with muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatories, low-dose tricyclics, or other appropriate agents addresses the central and peripheral components of muscle pain. We coordinate with physical therapists to address the postural deficits and movement dysfunctions that perpetuate myofascial pain.

Treatment options we may use