Found within muscle tissues throughout the body, trigger points are sensitive areas that can cause chronic pain, tenderness, and immobility when they are activated. The resulting discomfort—commonly referred to as myofascial pain—is often hard to relieve without professional care and may only get worse if left unaddressed. Given these risks, it’s critical for those with demanding jobs to recognize how their daily activities may contribute to this problem. To help you protect your health, here are five common professions that are linked to myofascial pain—and how you can prevent it.

5 Careers Commonly Linked to Myofascial Pain

1. Manufacturing Workers

Individuals who work in a factory or other type of manufacturing environment often perform repetitive tasks that can strain muscles and stimulate trigger points. This risk is even greater among those who have to lift heavy objects frequently. To minimize the myofascial pain, workers should make an effort to take breaks and stretch regularly throughout the work day.

2. Truck Drivers

Sitting in the same position for hours on end, long-distance truck drivers often experience trigger point problems in the neck, lower back, buttocks, and legs. If you’re a driver, investing in lumbar support devices, establishing proper sleep habits, and making pit stops to stretch can help prevent pain.

3. Nurses

In addition to being on their feet all day, nurses must engage in many awkward physical activities—such as helping patients move or adjusting beds. While these tasks can’t be avoided, nurses can minimize myofascial stress by wearing supportive footwear, stretching, and using proper lifting techniques.

4. First Responders

Police officers, firefighters, and EMTs must act fast whenever a public emergency arises. But in order to deliver a swift response, these first responders often have to carry out intense physical actions that put muscles under a lot of stress. In addition to stretching, strength training can help improve the health and vitality of muscles to minimize the risk of trigger point problems.

5. Delivery Persons

From lifting heavy packages to climbing steep staircases, delivery persons endure a lot of physical stress to get things where they need to go. To avoid sudden injuries to myofascial tissue, these professionals should carry boxes properly by lifting with their lower legs, not their backs. Packages should also be carried close to the body to reduce tension. If a package is too heavy, don’t hesitate to use a dolly for support.

If you notice certain muscle areas produce chronic pain, stiffness, or tenderness, Trigger Point Myotherapy in Lincoln, NE can help you find relief. Led by Christine Beckman, a Certified Manual Trigger Point Therapist, this clinic can accurately identify problem areas and deliver targeted treatments to release trigger points. To improve your long-term pain management, this provider will also instruct you on proper stretches and lifestyle changes that support myofascial health. Visit this clinic online to learn more about their trigger point release therapy programs or call (402) 228-8955 to schedule an appointment with a caring professional.