KSC RehabWorks, established in 1997, focuses on providing free physical medicine for work and sports-related injuries. The document highlights musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), their prevalence, and the importance of injury prevention through education, proper ergonomics, and self-care techniques. It emphasizes the significance of addressing myofascial pain and trigger points, along with recommending effective prevention and treatment strategies, including exercise and microbreaks.

1. Erik
Nason, MS, ATC, CSCS, MBA
KSC RehabWorks

2. KSC RehabWorks was
established in 1997 to provide
free on-site physical
medicine and rehabilitation
for work, non-work, sports-
related injuries and post-
surgical cases.

4. Musculoskeletal Disorders or MSDs are
injuries and disorders that affect the
human body’s movement or
musculoskeletal system (i.e.
muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, discs
, blood vessels, etc.)

5. The human and financial costs of
musculoskeletal disorders impose a
significant burden on workers and
businesses in the United States.
Properly defining MSD and knowing the
different types, costs and risks associated
with MSD is an educational building block
you can use to create an effective injury
prevention program.

6. The employer is responsible for providing
a safe place of work, sound ergonomic
principles, proper training for all
employees, and a clear focus on safety
culture within all levels of the organization.
Each employee is responsible for taking
care of their bodies and staying fit for the
work they have chosen to do.

8.  Good health of the
musculoskeletal
system is maintained
when there is a
balance between
fatigue from physical
activity and the
system’s recovery
process.

9.  MSDs result when
exposure to physical
activity causes
gradual wear and
tear, micro
trauma, and soft
tissue fatigue to
outpace the system’s
recovery, leading to
inflammation, pain
and dysfunction.

10.  How many here
know what
Myofascial Pain is?
 How many know
what a trigger point
is?
 How many have
experienced a
tightness in your
muscles causing you
to lose ROM and
cause pain?

11. Currently reported to affect approximately
85% of the population at some point during
their lives
The mean prevalence of this condition
among middle-aged adults (30–60 years)
is reported to be 37% in men and 65% in
women, respectively
 In the elderly (>65 years), the prevalence
reaches 85%

12. Combination of two Latin words
“Myo” meaning muscle
“Fascia”- meaning connective tissue
surrounding the muscle

13. Tough connective tissue
that lies just under the
skin
It surrounds every
organ, muscle, bone, ner
ve and blood vessel
Extends uninterrupted
from head to toe

14. Hypersensitive areas
Palpated as a nodule within a tight band of
muscle
Can cause
pain, tingling, burning, weakness and loss
of range of motion (ROM)

15.  MFP is an umbrella term that is given to TrPs
and referred pain
 TrPs are the TRUE source of soft tissue pain
 MPS is more of a medical “garbage” term
expressing the fact that the person is
experiencing broad soft tissue pain unrelated
to any MOI- possibly the result of multiple
TrPs with referred pain
 Tight MF and/or tight, fatigue, strained
muscles can develop active TrPs therefore
creating pain

16. Chronic or acute pain disorder
Initiated trough TrP’s, inducing referred
pain into a specific body region depending
on the muscle involved
Typically occurs after a muscle has been
contracted repetitively
Untreated it can cause
tightness, tenderness, stiffness, popping
and clicking, loss of ROM

17. 2 Types
• Latent
• Active

18. • Only painful upon
stimulation, stiffness, decrease
in ROM

19. • When a latent trigger point
becomes
hyperactive, resulting in a
localized spasm, creating a
palpable knot, and producing
referred pain.

20. “Pain that arises in a trigger point, but is
felt at a distance, often entirely remote
from the source”

21. Prevalent in the
head, neck, shoulders, hips and low back

22. Tight muscle
Tender points in muscle
Palpable nodules
Decreased range of motion
Weakness without atrophy
As "dull," "achy," or "deep” pain that
radiates and is non specific
Arises without a determined MOI
Local spasm in affected muscle

23. Sciatica
Migraine headaches
Fibromyalgia
Shoulder Impingement
Plantar fasciitis
ITB syndrome
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

24. Stress
Posture
Ergonomics

25. History
• How long has this been going on?
• Has anything in your daily routine changed that
might evoke this?
• What makes it better or worse?
• Has there been any trauma to this area currently?
• Any limitations of ROM since onset?
• Do you notice a decrease in pain over the
weekend?
• What type of work do you do?

26. What is your posture like?
How are your workstation ergonomics?
Do you exercise on a daily bases?

28. Technique used to help lengthen the
muscle and fascial layers and enable them
to remain in the lengthened state
Goal is to decrease the amount of tension
to the trigger points and decrease their
hypersensitivity

29. SELF TREATMENTS
 Stretching
 Massage
 Heat or Ice
 Foam Roller
 Trigger Ball
 Strengthening
MEDICAL TREATMENTS
 Trigger Point Injections
 Acupuncture
REHABILITATION
 Ultrasound
 Stretch and Spray
 Therapeutic massage
 Electrical Stimulation

30. Your prevention strategy must include
these 5 pillars to be effective:
• 1. Utilize ergonomic/industrial hygiene program
• 2. Employee education & training
• 3. A proactive early intervention strategy
• 4. Regular evaluation & continuous improvement
• 5. Establishing a culture of Safety & Wellness for
all employees.

31. Microbreaks
• Every 30-60 minutes
• Lasts only 2-5 minutes
• Goal is to break up the static posture and reverse
all motions
Exercise
• Overall physical health is key

34. 1. Myofascial pain and TrPs are caused
from a contraction of the muscle
fibers, such as repetative motions or
injury
2. Self techniques that help enhance the
treatment of MPS and TrPs include
stretching, strengthening, foam rolling
and massage
3. Techniques involved in the prevention
include microbreaks, postural
training, exercise and stress

35. “90% of the game is half mental”
Yogi Berra