Trigger points are focal knots located in a taut band of skeletal muscle. Dr. Janet Travell in 1942 was the first to term these points. These points often are palpable and produce referred and localized pain. They hurt and for some people can interrupt sleep and make it difficult to move. They are persistent and often can ruin the day. Trigger point therapy includes several different techniques for pain relief.
Trigger point may cause stiffness and decreased range of motion. They can be associated with chronic conditions of muscles or joints, acute trauma, or repeated micro-trauma. This leads to stress on the muscle fibers creating tension knots.
So what do we do about these pesky points that can be so aggravating!
- Therapeutic Ultrasound
- Physical manipulation
- Pin and stretch techniques
- Massage
- Injections
Injections can be a life changer for patients having significant pain or mobility challenges from trigger points. The needle is put into the trigger point and the taut muscle is inactivated. This allows the muscle to replenish blood supply and energy production to rebalance its equilibrium. Injections can assist in breaking the cycle of pain and tension.
Indications for injections:
- Chronic or episodic headaches
- Whiplash with neck pain or headaches
- TMJ pain
- Back pain
- Decrease range of motion due to trigger points
Dr. Kirstin Wilson is now offering these at Nurture Integrative Health Clinic to help our patients have pain relief in the office. Schedule an appointment to see if this would be a good fit for your current pain.