Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is based on the phenomenon of painful trigger points that develop in the muscle. These can occur as a result of muscle spasm or from tangled knots of normally smooth muscle fibers. Trigger points are often associated with junctions of the autonomic nervous system. In persons who are suffering from muscular aches and pains, the trigger point is characterized by knotted muscles and a painful tender spot. A trigger point can radiate pain and sensation through nerves to other places on the body.

The treatment involves injecting a small amount of local anesthetic into the trigger point. The anesthetic seems to 'defuse" the disturbed nerve reaction by scrambling the electrical signals that prompt pain sensation in the nerves, and switching the nerve-muscle complex back to a state of rest. A series of treatments are necessary to cause the pathologically disturbed nerve and muscle to realign normally, resulting in long- term improvement.

Trigger point therapy can be especially useful when there has been an injury to muscles and nerves, whether caused by a traumatic incident or simply by repeated strain and tension.

Related Topics: Bodywork, Acupressure, Massage

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