How Does Trigger Point Therapy Work?

Trigger point therapy is a form of massage which utilizes pressure to ease the pain from a herniated disc. Trigger points are small painful knots of tissue that can form in response to chronic low back pain, injury, or overuse. Trigger point therapy targets these knots to help reduce chronic low back pain. Trigger points may also be painful when pressed and therefore may cause intense pain in that area which can then radiate down to other regions of the body. Trigger point therapy is a noninvasive alternative to traditional back pain management, which has been proven to produce encouraging results for many individuals.

Trigger point therapy can be employed by physical therapists who treat injured or pain patients. Typically, physical therapists use this form of therapy with both patients and their therapists. This technique can also be used by chiropractors and osteopaths. Trigger point therapy is particularly useful for people who have developed chronic low back pain but may have experienced previous treatment or surgery that did not alleviate chronic pain.

Trigger point therapy is used in conjunction with conventional back pain management methods to be able to maximize its benefits and minimize its potential for creating additional pain. Trigger point therapy entails manual techniques which are applied to specific regions of the spine. Manual techniques include dry needling and ultrasound. In dry needling, a therapist uses a small electric current to heat up the delicate tissues which are causing pain. Ultrasound is also commonly utilized in trigger point therapy so as to increase blood circulation to the nerves and muscles of the spine.

Trigger point therapy has been proven to be effective in relieving chronic low back pain for patients. Trigger point remedies often take a few weeks to see considerable relief of pain. Trigger point remedies are most effective when used in conjunction with other conservative treatments and/or exercises. It is important that patients avoid activities that aggravate their situation. Preventing overhead lifting or activities that involve prolonged stretching can decrease trigger points and the associated pain. Patients shouldn't rest on their backs indefinitely because of the adverse effects of trigger factors.

Trigger point therapy is often recommended as a first line of defense when treating conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetic neuropathy, and shingles. Trigger-point therapy is often used first for patients who respond well to manual methods. Trigger-point dry needling is sometimes administered before a patient begins any sort of therapeutic exercise or physical therapy. Trigger point therapy can be administered by health care providers in their own offices or in facilities provided by skilled chiropractic therapists and osteopaths. Trigger point treatments are generally conducted by healthcare providers in an office setting, although they may also be administered at a healthcare facility in which they perform general bodywork.

Trigger point and acupuncture points are targeted during trigger-point therapy sessions. The purpose of the sessions is to release negative energy that has accumulated in the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the spine. Trigger point therapy is usually used to treat conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, nerve root pain, frozen shoulder and herpes. Trigger point and acupuncture points may also be used to treat ailments that don't fall under the acute category, such as chronic pain, stenosis and psoriatic arthritis.

Trigger point therapy is predicated on the concept that myofascial trigger points located in the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the spine can contribute to the growth and progression of many different conditions, such as chronic pain. Trigger points are thought to generate pressure and friction that can encourage the breakdown of adhesions, synovial fluid and other connective tissues. Trigger point therapy helps to restore the myofascial structure through a gentle and repetitive process of stretching and manipulating the targeted muscles and tendons. Trigger point therapy can be used for a number of body pains and the most frequent conditions treated include neck pain, lower back pain, tennis elbow and hip pain, lower left leg pain, tennis elbow and lower right leg pain. Trigger point therapy may also help myofascial trigger points that are associated with fibromyalgia, shingles, migraine headaches and menstrual pain.

Trigger point therapy is conducted by professional therapists and is covered by health insurance in the U.S. Trigger point therapy and acupuncture have been in existence for years and both forms of therapy have the same aim; to release tension and pain. Trigger point therapy and acupuncture work together to treat myofascial pain by manipulating trigger points in the body that are associated with specific conditions. Trigger point therapy is safe and effective, but it's important to seek the services of a licensed practitioner in order to obtain the treatment. Additionally it is important to realize that Trigger point therapy may result in an allergic reaction, asthma and/or vomiting. If you experience a negative reaction or any discomfort after having had your acupuncture treatment, contact your doctor immediately and report the occurrence.