I'm not sure there is a full recovery for these... or maybe it's just me ! I have Fibro and myofacial pain is my biggie. Mostly in my mid-back, shoulders and neck due to the added trauma of car accidents. I went thru months of physical therapy exercises and stretches and manipulation... I have made improvements each time but the trigger point is still in there and will still get aggitated if I push too hard.

I don't take any of the meds as far as Cymbalta, Topomax etc anymore... I tried and they just did not work, except to put 20 lbs on me. Over the last 3 years, the only release for these I have found was theraputic message. Any message is nice, but there are professionals out there who specialize in body mechanics and especially these: Neuromuscular Therapy, Deep Tissue, and Myofascial Structural Integration. They can not only work on the knots but they sorta move the musculature around so that it functions at it's best. It is AMAZING!

Also, depending on how much discomfort you can handle or how much you are willing to for some relief (:)) there is also a treatment called Dry Needling. It has come about thru a sort of east meets west... they offer trigger point injections that put a pain numbing med into the muscle tissue (another option), but research showed the improvement that was happening for patients was less about the meds and more about the needle entering the trigger point and breaking up the tissue. So they use acupuncture needles to penetrate the trigger points. There are many Physical Therapists now getting "certified in this" but I found a guy who is trained accupuncture, body mechanics etc with years of experience... I feel better about that. By no means will this be pleasant for most people (unless you are one that kinda enjoys the release when someone really pushes on the knots!) and you will be very sore the next day... you will need a rest/sleep day after. BUT the day after that, you will be amazed!!! The soreness still exists but now it feels like you did a good workout instead of feeling like someone is sticking a hot steel blade into your back . It's the only thing I have ever found to relieve that nagging prickly pain that happens when the nerves get caught in the trigger point!

Like we have all learned, everyone of us has different limits and we can only gently test the waters to see what works..this isn't for everyone, but I wanted to put it out there .

Sure! Glad to be able to share any experience that helps others get thru this too.

I am pretty sure the CMP should be added to my diagnosis but I figured another issue on my chart wasn't going to change much at this point... in the meantime, I just try to balance the dry needling and message with ALOT of stretching. I would agree with your friend though that - at least for those of us with chronic issues - it isn't a permanant solution. It's more of a maintenance option. For me, it takes too long for the kink to work itself out...and the inflammation that it causes tends to have a domino affect! So I will bear the discomfort for the relief and to stop it from going further. Of course, like you, we just found out we will be moving due to a job offer for my husband... I have no idea what I will do without my needling guy!

bump.