The importance of this study though extremely limited is that it explains why understanding Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction is essential when chronic pain problems including neck pain, headache and TMD disorders. In this study a single injection in the trapezius muscle (shoulder) gave significant reduction in pain in the masseter region along with reduction in EMG values.
There are hundreds of trigger point areas. It is essential to see a physiian or dentist who understands Myofascial Pain and knows how to preform trigger point injections as well as trigger point deactivation with vapocoolants.
Treating patients with drugs and not addressing underlying causes of pain is like painting your ceiling every time it rains instead of fixing where your roof leaks. Neuromuscular Dentistry is used to create a healthy environment where trigger points do not return.
Pain. 1993 Dec;55(3):397-400.
Reduction of pain and EMG activity in the masseter region by trapezius trigger point injection.
Carlson CR, Okeson JP, Falace DA, Nitz AJ, Lindroth JE.
Department of Psychology, College of Dentistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40536.
Abstract
In this open, uncontrolled trial, 20 patients with upper trapezius muscle trigger point pain and ipsilateral masseter muscle pain received a single trigger point injection of 2% lidocaine solution (without epinephrine) in the upper trapezius muscle. Following the trapezius injection, there was a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in pain intensity ratings for pain in the masseter region. In addition, there was a significant (P < 0.03) reduction in EMG activity in the masseter muscle. Overall, however, a significant relationship between EMG activity in the masseter and the self-report of pain was not found with the present data set. These clinical findings support the contention that sources of deep pain can produce heterotopic sensory and motor changes in distant anatomical regions.
PMID: 8121703 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
