TREATMENT

The primary goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation while promoting tissue recovery mobility of the inflamed tissue to prevent the development of restrictive scar tissue. Once recovery has reached the appropriate level care will focus on improving muscle performance including improved flexibility and strength.

Treatment may consist of one of more of the following methods:

• Ice therapy or cryo massage (during the acute phase of injury)
• Most heat (during the chronic phase of injury/repair)
• Spinal manipulation
• Extemity joint manipulation
• Massage therapy
• Myofascial release therapy
• Trigger pint therapy
• Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS)
• Ultrasound (US)
• Nutritional anti-inflammatory and/or anabolic approach
• Pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory approach
• Pharmaceutical trigger point injections
• Range of motion and stretching exercises
• Strengthening exercises

PREVENTION

The best way to prevent myalgia and myofascitis involving the neck and/or back is to become familiar with how your spine works and to become an active participant in your spinecare. It is important to learn how to choose a spinecare specialist and to recognize an efficient spinecare team. There are many steps you can take and habits you can develop to better care for your spine and prevent spinal muscle injury or strain. This includes a proper warm-up before exertion and regular exercise. It is also important that you learn more about your spine disorder and become aware of the signs and symptoms that warrant intervention and follow up care. Early detection and timely intervention is generally associated with better treatment outcome.