When the nerve that is connected to the muscle becomes irritated small nodules or contractures form causing the muscle to become painful. These contractures are called trigger points. Trigger points will often refer pain in distant locations. For example it is very common for jaw muscles with myofascial pain to refer pain into the teeth or ears. In addition to pain, muscles with myofacial pain also fatigue more easily and have decreased strength and range of motion. Myofacial pain within the jaw muscles can also be associated with many other symptoms such as dizziness, ringing in the ears, eye twitching, sweating, nausea, and tearing. Tension headaches in the temples are usually the result of myofacial pain within the temporalis muscle, which is a jaw closing muscle. Myofacial pain may also trigger other headaches such as migraines. The cause of myofascial pain is over-stimulation of the nerve connected to the muscle. This can occur when the muscle is either, chronically strained such as in teeth clenching or poor posture, or through an acute trauma. Additionally, nerve or joint dysfunction can set off Myofacial pain. Other factors that effect myofascial pain are poor sleep, nutrition, and emotions. The treatments for Myofacial Pain include decreasing any aggravating factors such as teeth clenching and breaking up or stretching the contractures to their normal length.
