Myofascial Pain After Injury or Surgery: What You Need to Know

Search terms: myofascial pain after surgery, post-injury muscle pain, fascia pain after trauma

If you’ve recovered from an injury or surgery—but you’re still in pain—you’re not alone. Many people continue to experience tightness, burning, or deep aching long after tissues appear to heal. Often, the missing link is myofascial pain: tension and inflammation in the fascia caused by trauma, immobilization, or surgical scarring.

Understanding how fascia responds to injury is the first step to restoring movement and ending chronic pain.

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🧠 What Is Myofascial Pain?

Myofascial pain involves tight, irritated areas in your fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles and organs) and points de déclenchement—small, painful knots that refer pain to other parts of the body.

When fascia is injured, inflamed, or immobilized (as in surgery or casting), it can:

• Thicken and lose its elasticity

• Form adhesions and scar tissue

• Compress nerves or restrict muscle movement

• Remain inflamed and hypersensitive for months or years

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❗ Why Does Pain Persist After Injury or Surgery?

Even after bones and skin have healed, fascia can remain bound, dry, and inflamed. This often happens when:

• Muscles are immobilized (e.g., in a sling or brace)

• Surgery leads to scar tissue formation

• Inflammation lingers and spreads to surrounding fascia

• Trigger points form from muscle guarding or compensation

Research shows that fascial adhesions and inflammation can persist even when imaging appears normal—contributing to ongoing pain, stiffness, and limited mobility (Stecco et al., 2014).

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⚠️ Signs of Post-Injury or Post-Surgical Myofascial Pain

• Deep, aching pain that doesn’t match your surgical site

• Pain that increases with pressure or use

• Stiffness or tightness around joints or scar areas

• Referred pain (e.g., shoulder surgery causing hand numbness)

• “Pulling” sensation near scars

• Sensitivity to touch without visible inflammation

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🧪 Where Does It Happen Most?

Myofascial pain after injury or surgery often shows up in:

• Shoulders and rotator cuff (after dislocation, surgery, or frozen shoulder)

• Knees and hips (after joint replacement or ligament injury)

• Neck and back (after whiplash or spinal surgery)

• Abdomen and pelvic floor (after C-section or abdominal surgery)

• Jaw and face (after dental work or trauma)

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✅ How to Treat Myofascial Pain After Surgery or Injury

1. Instrument-Assisted Fascial Release (IASTM)

Gentle tools can help break down scar tissue and restore fascia glide—without causing more inflammation.

Top Tool:
✅ ASTR® Myofascial Release Tools
These patented instruments are:

• Designed for post-surgical care

• Proven to release adhesions and scar buildup

• Used by physical therapists and patients at home

👉 Shop the ASTR Tool Set

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2. Scar Tissue Release Therapy

Targeted treatment of the surgical scar reduces tension throughout fascial chains. Scars that feel “stuck,” raised, or itchy can cause distant pain due to fascial pull.

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3. Trigger Point Therapy

Myofascial trigger points form from muscle guarding or post-surgical compensation. Releasing these knots can reduce referred pain and restore function.

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4. Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Surgery and injury trigger systemic inflammation, which worsens fascial tightness. The ASTR Diet supports healing and reduces inflammatory load through nutrient-dense, toxin-free foods.

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5. Restore Movement Gradually

After injury, fascia needs gentle, progressive movement to remodel. Avoid high-intensity activity early on—focus on mobility, breathwork, and low-resistance exercises first.

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🕒 How Long Does It Take to Heal?

• Mild fascial tightness may improve in a few weeks with therapy

• Post-surgical or chronic adhesions often require 2–6 months of consistent care

• Complex cases with nerve involvement may take longer but can still improve with a holistic, fascia-focused approach

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🧭 When to Get Help

You should consult a provider trained in myofascial therapy if:

• Pain lasts longer than expected after surgery

• Your scar feels stuck, painful, or “tugging” on nearby tissue

• You’ve lost flexibility or strength with no structural damage

• Pain is worse at night or radiates to unrelated areas

• You’ve tried traditional PT but progress has stalled

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Final Thoughts

Pain that lingers after healing isn’t “all in your head.” Scar tissue and fascial tension are real, physical causes of long-term post-injury pain—and they’re often missed in standard rehab.

With the right combination of outils de libération myofasciale, scar therapy, inflammation reduction, and gentle movement, your body can recover more fully than you thought possible.

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Références

• Stecco, C., Macchi, V., Porzionato, A., & De Caro, R. (2014). The fascia: The forgotten structure. Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, 119(3), 127–138.

• Dommerholt, J., & Gerwin, R. D. (2006). Myofascial Trigger Points: Pathophysiology and Evidence-Informed Diagnosis and Management.

• Wong, C. K. (2013). Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization for post-surgical adhesions. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 8(6), 747–755.