In myofascial pain syndrome, pain comes from muscle and its fascia, the thin connective tissue around each muscle. It is driven by trigger points: sensitive spots within a taut band of muscle. They turn up most often in the neck, shoulders and back, so the condition is one possible source of lower back pain.
A trigger point near the top of the shoulder can show up as a headache
Pressing a trigger point can hurt on the spot and can also bring on pain some distance away, known as referred pain. StatPearls, a clinical reference on the NCBI Bookshelf, notes that trigger points in the trapezius, the large muscle running from the base of the neck across the shoulders, can show up as a tension headache.
Myofascial pain leaves nothing to see, so it is easy to write off as stiffness
Most muscle aches have a clear cause, and injury is among the most common, like a strained muscle after a lift or a twist. Myofascial pain brings no redness, swelling or unusual warmth, which makes it easy to dismiss, but pain that will not go away is worth showing to a healthcare provider.
Fibromyalgia hurts across the whole body, where myofascial pain stays regional
Myofascial pain sits in one area, or in areas on the same side of the body. Fibromyalgia pain runs through the whole body and brings more severe fatigue and sleep problems, and its tender points lack the taut band and referred pain of a trigger point. Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition with no specific test, and the NHS advises seeing a doctor if you think you have it.
Positions held for hours, stress and poor sleep tend to keep it going
Overuse and poor posture are recognised risk factors, and repeated loading in awkward positions can injure muscle in small ways. Too little movement and emotional stress play a part as well, and poor sleep may raise muscle tension enough for trigger points to form. A long drive can stack several of these at once, with shoulders creeping towards the ears and hands gripping the wheel, often after a short night.
A doctor or physiotherapist can advise on injections and dry needling
A trigger point injection is a local anaesthetic, sometimes with a little corticosteroid, given by a doctor or another trained medical provider. Dry needling uses a solid needle with no medicine in it, and physiotherapists are among the trained providers who use it. StatPearls reports comparable results for the two, and advises that everyone with the condition learns stretching exercises and better working positions.
Soft tissue work at The Sync sits alongside a doctor's diagnosis
An assessment comes first. SpinalSync tests each segment of the spine on its own, the readings go on a screen as they are taken, and repeat measurement shows what has changed. MyoSync works with fascia, which has to glide for you to move well, where muscle tension, fascial restriction or reduced mobility is part of the picture. Care is gentle by design, with instrument-guided, low-force input for anyone who would rather not be adjusted by hand. We do not diagnose myofascial pain syndrome, prescribe medication, inject, operate, or provide or read imaging, and a Sync specialist says early on when your symptoms need a doctor first. Our methods page explains how SpinalSync and MyoSync work.
Common questions about myofascial pain
No single test can diagnose it, so it rests on an examination. A clinician feels along the muscle for a taut band and a tender spot, then presses to see whether that brings on the pain. Imaging is mostly useful for ruling out other problems.
Recent myofascial pain often settles by itself or with simple treatment, according to StatPearls, while pain that has lasted many months has a less favourable outlook. How long it lasts varies from person to person.
It can. Referred sensations can include tingling or burning as well as a deep, dull ache. Numbness is rarely part of myofascial pain syndrome, so it is worth raising with a doctor.
A Sync specialist does not diagnose it, and says early on if your symptoms need a doctor first, especially widespread pain, or pain with a fever, numbness or weakness. Where soft tissue is part of the picture, MyoSync works with it to support comfort and movement, alongside any care from your doctor.
Written by the Aphyx Content team, reviewed by the clinical team at The Sync. Published 5 November 2026. Last updated 5 November 2026.