Myofascial pain can be defined as pain associated with inflammation or irritation of muscle or of the fascial surrounding the muscle. It is a common issue which is estimated to affect 85% of the general population at some time during their life.
It’s fair to say this is a condition all clinicians will come across at some stage of their career but despite this there is still confusion around how we should assess, diagnose and manage the condition.
In a brand new series of courses Dr Rina Pandya will clarify the pathophysiology, assessment, treatment and evaluation of the condition.
The Course Instructor
Dr Rina Pandya has an extensive physical therapy career that spans over 20 years, through the UK, the USA and the Middle East.
She has worked in the NHS and in American health care as a physical therapist with services in acute care, in-patient rehab, skilled nursing facility, home healthcare and outpatient clinic. Dr Rina has developed and presented courses for the last decade with excellent remarks from her course attendees. She has a knack of presenting complex concepts in a simple format with practical clinical outcomes and application.
The Courses
Myofascial pain can be caused by any of the structures tangled in the myofascia, including nerves, muscles and connective tissue. Patients who have dysfunction in structures such as tendons or ligaments can usually be diagnosed based on their symptoms and by using standard tests. However, myofascial pain is less easily defined. Individuals may complain of global pain that moves about. Thus, when patients have pain and symptoms that do not seem to fit a standard diagnosis, it may be time to look outside the box at the myofascia.
A myofascial chain is a line of connective tissue that runs throughout the body. These chains are important for functional movement, coordination and stability, and they help the body move as a unit. They can, however, also be a cause of pain and structural weakness. By understanding myofascial chains, you can better understand injuries and movement limitations. In this course, the second in a series on upper limb myofascial pain, you will learn about the four myofascial chains of the arm.
In clinical practice, you may encounter patients who present with complaints that do not seem to fit a typical picture or who do not respond to treatment as you expect. In such cases, it can be worth considering the myofascial system as a potential cause of pain. While it can be challenging to diagnose myofascial complaints, specific symptoms can help distinguish this dysfunction from other conditions. This course will discuss these symptoms and help you to reach a diagnosis more efficiently.
Once you have diagnosed your patient with a myofascial pain condition, the next challenge is to understand which tools will help you to optimally manage your patient. In this third course in a series, Rina Pandya explores the assessment and treatment techniques best suited to myofascial pain. This course aims to discuss effective treatment options for symptoms related to myofascial pain.