How we diagnose and treat myofascial pain syndrome

Quick answer: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a chronic muscle pain condition caused by trigger points—tight, sensitive knots in muscle tissue. At DFW Interventional Pain Institute, Dr. Edrick Lopez diagnoses MPS through a comprehensive physical evaluation and treats it with minimally invasive procedures, physical therapy, and personalized multidisciplinary care plans.

Muscle pain that won't go away. Aching that spreads in unexpected directions. Tender spots that hurt when you press on them. If any of this sounds familiar, you may be dealing with myofascial pain syndrome—a condition that's more common than most people realize, and one that responds well to the right treatment.

At DFW Interventional Pain Institute, we see patients with MPS regularly. Here's how we approach it.

What is myofascial pain syndrome?

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a chronic pain condition that originates in the muscles and surrounding connective tissue, known as fascia. The hallmark of MPS is the presence of trigger points—highly sensitive, tight bands or knots within a muscle that cause localized pain and can also refer pain to other areas of the body.

Common symptoms include:

• Deep, aching muscle pain that persists or worsens

• Tender spots (trigger points) that are painful to the touch

• Referred pain that radiates away from the trigger point

• Reduced range of motion or stiffness

• Fatigue and sleep disturbances related to chronic discomfort

MPS can affect any muscle in the body, though it's especially common in the neck, shoulders, and back. Left untreated, it can significantly disrupt your ability to work, sleep, and carry out everyday activities. That's exactly why getting an accurate diagnosis matters so much.

How do we diagnose myofascial pain syndrome?

MPS can be tricky to diagnose because its symptoms overlap with other conditions like fibromyalgia, nerve pain, and joint dysfunction. At DFW Interventional Pain Institute, we take a thorough, patient-first approach to get to the root of your pain—not just manage the surface symptoms.

Our evaluation process typically involves:

Listening to your history and symptoms. We start by hearing from you. Understanding when your pain started, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects your daily life gives us critical diagnostic context that no imaging scan can replicate.

Reviewing your medical records and imaging. We carefully review any prior diagnostic tests, imaging, and treatment records to build a complete clinical picture before we proceed.

Physical examination and trigger point identification. A hands-on physical exam is central to diagnosing MPS. Dr. Lopez will identify active trigger points by palpating the affected muscles—looking for the characteristic taut bands and referred pain patterns that distinguish MPS from other conditions.

Ordering new diagnostic tests when necessary. If your existing records don't tell the full story, we'll order any additional tests needed to rule out other causes and confirm the diagnosis with confidence.

What treatments do we offer for myofascial pain syndrome?

Once we've arrived at a clear diagnosis, Dr. Lopez and our team develop a personalized treatment plan tailored specifically to your symptoms, lifestyle, and goals. There's no one-size-fits-all approach here.

Minimally invasive procedures

Trigger point injections are one of the most effective direct treatments for MPS. This procedure involves injecting a small amount of anesthetic—sometimes combined with a corticosteroid—directly into the trigger point to release tension, reduce inflammation, and interrupt the pain cycle. Learn more about how trigger point injection medications are used in our recent blog post.

Depending on your specific presentation, Dr. Lopez may also recommend other interventional techniques to address underlying nerve involvement or referred pain patterns.

A holistic, multidisciplinary treatment plan

Injections address the trigger point directly, but lasting relief from MPS often requires a broader strategy. Our comprehensive treatment plans may include:

• Physical therapy to restore strength, flexibility, and movement patterns that reduce future trigger point formation

• Occupational therapy to help you modify daily tasks and habits that may be perpetuating your pain—learn more about what occupational therapy involves

• Medications to manage pain and inflammation as part of an integrated plan

• Psychological therapy to address the emotional toll of living with chronic pain, which is a real and well-documented factor in pain intensity and recovery

• Surgical referral, in rare cases where an underlying structural issue requires surgical intervention

Why choose DFW Interventional Pain Institute for MPS treatment?

Dr. Edrick Lopez is a double board-certified, Harvard-trained interventional pain management physician with extensive experience treating complex musculoskeletal pain conditions. He completed his residency at Harvard Medical School and his fellowship in pain medicine at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center—credentials that translate directly into a higher level of diagnostic and clinical care for our patients.

What sets our practice apart isn't just expertise—it's the way we apply it. We don't rush appointments, we don't offer generic solutions, and we don't dismiss what you're feeling. Every patient who walks through our doors gets a plan built around their specific situation, with outcomes that focus on improving quality of life, not just reducing pain scores on a chart.

You don't have to keep living with muscle pain

MPS is a real, diagnosable, and treatable condition. With the right clinical approach, most patients experience meaningful relief—and many return to the activities they'd given up on altogether.

If you're experiencing persistent muscle pain, tender trigger points, or unexplained referred pain, don't wait for it to resolve on its own. Book an appointment with Dr. Lopez at DFW Interventional Pain Institute and take the first step toward lasting relief.

Frequently asked questions about myofascial pain syndrome

• What's the difference between myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia?

  • Myofascial pain syndrome involves localized trigger points in specific muscles that cause regional pain. Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread, systemic pain and tenderness across multiple body regions. The two conditions can coexist, which is one reason accurate diagnosis by a specialist is so important.

• How long does it take to treat myofascial pain syndrome?

  • Treatment timelines vary depending on how long the condition has been present, how many trigger points are involved, and how well the patient responds to treatment. Some patients experience significant relief after a single trigger point injection; others benefit from several weeks of physical therapy combined with procedures.

• Are trigger point injections painful?

  • Most patients tolerate trigger point injections well. You may feel brief discomfort or a local twitch response during the injection, but the procedure is typically quick and the relief that follows often far outweighs any temporary discomfort.

• Can myofascial pain syndrome come back after treatment?

  • MPS can recur, particularly if the underlying causes—such as poor posture, repetitive strain, or stress—aren't addressed. Our multidisciplinary treatment plans are designed to tackle both the immediate pain and the contributing factors that lead to trigger point formation.

• Is myofascial pain syndrome the same as muscle knots?

  • The "knots" many people feel in their muscles are often trigger points. While the term "muscle knot" is informal, it's a reasonable description of the taut, hypersensitive bands that characterize MPS.