Trigger Point Therapy
Chiropractors and many other therapists, including physiatrists and osteopaths, often focus their therapeutic attention on trigger points, the hypersensitive spots in muscle tissue that develop as a result of overuse or misuse of muscles. Trigger points are actually palpable nodules located in deep muscle fibers. Trigger points generally develop due to muscle overload which may result from injury, muscular atrophy due to illness, or excessive exercise. The nodules that appear in the deep muscle tissue are considered to be small knots of spasmodic muscle contraction.
Trigger point therapy helps to treat pain and discomfort by focusing on trigger points through compression, repetitive muscle concentration, and stretching techniques. Most patients find that after several trigger point therapy treatments, swelling and stiffness are reduced, range of motion is increased, tension is relieved, and circulation, flexibility and coordination have improved. Trigger point therapy is an effective form of treatment for many forms of pain and discomfort and recovery from injury is generally shortened by trigger point therapy.
Reasons for Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy is designed to target a particular region. It may be used to relieve pain or increase flexibility and range of motion. Trigger point therapy is commonly used to treat pain and stiffness related to:
- Headaches
- Whiplash
- Injury
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Osteoarthritis
- Fibromyalgia
Pressure applied directly to the trigger point loosens the knot in the muscle, sometimes supplying immediate relief. More frequently, patients feel positive effects from trigger point therapy after several regularly scheduled visits.
Trigger Point Therapy Treatment
Trigger point therapy is designed to relieve pain and stiffness by applying controlled pressure directly to the trigger point. During the procedure, the patient participates by identifying areas of pain and relief, and by breathing deep, controlled breaths to facilitate relaxation. Trigger points affect not only the local regions, but muscles at some distance from the site. Regions away from the trigger point that respond to manipulation of the point itself are known as areas of referred pain. Scientific maps have been created to identify which specific trigger points cause responses in which other parts of the body.
Trigger point therapy should not be painful, though it is likely to be somewhat more uncomfortable than a typical massage. Patients are advised to speak up if the pressure causes real pain, since it is important for the therapist to receive ongoing feedback. In most cases, the discomfort experienced is described by patients as "good pain" since it is followed immediately by relaxation of muscle tension in the problem area.
Many patients are sore in the day or two following a trigger point treatment session. This is normal and expected, like the discomfort after a strenuous physical workout. Increased hydration is recommended after trigger point therapy to shorten recovery time.
For more information about Trigger Point Therapy, Call J.C. Morris's office at