Chiropractors can focus on the source of your problem and relieve painful knots in muscles and tendons.

 

What is a Trigger Point?

A trigger point is a tight and tender spot in a muscle that refers pain (or "triggers" pain) to other areas of the body. If trigger points are not treated, they cause lingering pain even after an injury has healed, and can be the reason why headache, neck pain, and back pain keep returning year after year.

Some of the causes of trigger points in muscles are stress, excessive chilling, injury, overuse, and strain, as well as chemicals, drugs, alcohol, and environmental pollutants. Active trigger points keep the muscles tight, restricting blood flow and compressing nerves, which perpetuates a viscious pain-spasm-pain cycle in the muscles. The effect of decreased flexibility limits movement, encouraging poor postural patterns which may sustain the cycle for years.

How does Trigger Point Therapy work?

Treatment of trigger points consists of application of sustained pressure for a long enough time to inactivate the muscle spasm. Pressure can be applied with a thumb, finger, knuckle, or elbow depending on the size, depth and thickness of the muscle being compressed. Pressure is sustained for 10 to 20 seconds and gradually increased as the trigger point releases. This simple procedure is one of the most powerful ways to treat pain and dysfunction in the body.