Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger Points May Be Part of Your Head, Neck, or Back Pain
Each day, 25 million Americans take a pain medication. Some of these people take medication daily for chronic pain. Most of these people prefer to avoid the possible long-term effects of these pills.
Trigger Point Therapy (TPT) works to relieve chronic, muscular pain without oral medication. This is a universally well received combination of clinically proven methods for the treatment of chronic muscular pain anywhere in the body. It is particularly well suited for chronic upper and lower back, neck and head pain
What Is Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger points (myofascial pain) are small “knots” or areas of spasm, within a muscle. They may be tender when touched, or cause shortening of a muscle. The shortening may then cause limitation in the range of motion of the affected area (for example, in neck rotation). Trigger points may even cause “referred pain” – pain that is felt in a distant location when the trigger point is touched. The pain from these points may come and go spontaneously, or linger for hours, days, or even months. These little spams within the muscles are physical knots that are responsible for the discomfort, pain, soreness, or tightness that is felt. These knots may produce a chronically sore and shortened muscle.
Myofascial pain or trigger point pain is frequently mistaken for:
- Fibromyalgia
- Myalgia
- Muscle Strain
- Chronic Joint Sprain
What Causes Trigger Points
There are many causes: accidents, misuse, overuse, misalignments, disc and other spinal problems. The resulting inflammation along with emotional stressors, causes muscle cells to contract. When the muscle cells contract continuously, thereby constricting their own blood supply, there is a local “energy crisis” for the cells. When this occurs. the cells do not have enough energy to stop contracting, and prolonged spasms and trigger points ensue.
Conditions Associated with TP:
- Shoulder Pain
- Tennis Elbow
- Muscular Chest Wall Pain
- Low Back Pain
- Sciatica
- Knee Pain
- Ankle Pain
How Does It Work?
Trigger Point Therapy essentially loosens these knots, allowing improved blood flow to the chronically spasmodic areas. As a result, the areas begin to heal. As soon as the knots are relieved, there is often an immediate and remarkable reduction in pain, soreness, and discomfort, as well as the beginning of long term relief. If pursued properly over a number of sessions. the muscles will heal themselves and the symptoms will be abated. The treatment is simple, minimally invasive and quick. Improvement is usually noted after each visit.
NuWave Medical is committed to restoring a positive wave of good health back to your life so you no longer need to watch from the sidelines. Make your appointment today at one of our convenient locations.