Trigger Point Therapy in Nashville, TN
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), one in ten Americans suffer from at least one chronic musculoskeletal disorder. This amounts to roughly 23 million people in the U.S. alone. Such disorders are often linked with a painful condition called myofascial trigger points. These are hard spots or “knots” formed by tight, contracted muscles or micro-nodules that affect a small area of muscle tissue.
When a person has multiple trigger points, this condition is called myofascial pain syndrome. Trigger points are quite common in our bodies and tend to be concentrated around injury sites. They can also be a primary cause of neck and back pain because they can trigger abnormal responses to pain stimuli (hyperirritability).
Causes of Myofascial Trigger Points
Trigger points usually develop due to trauma to the affected muscle fibers. According to the National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists (NAMTPT), stress and injuries are the leading causes of trigger points. Include repetitive overuse injuries, poor posture, heavy lifting, prolonged inactivity, and muscle clenching when stressed.
Trigger points can be extremely painful and may also lead to “referred pain”; that is, pain felt in other parts of the body. This occurs because our soft tissues are connected throughout the body by interconnected fascia, which lies beneath the skin and supports, covers, attaches, and separates muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and organs. Through this connection, pain impulses can travel to different areas of the body.
Trigger Point Therapy Treatment
Trigger point therapy involves pressing or rubbing on trigger points to help release tension, pain, and dysfunction throughout the body. This can be done manually with the fingers and hands or using various instruments. The best method depends on the individual and the specific trigger points and underlying conditions.
Common Conditions Treated by Trigger Point Therapy
Myofascial trigger point therapy is often used to treat various musculoskeletal disorders and chronic pain. Patients have reported improvements in conditions such as headaches and migraines, TMD (jaw joint disorders), back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, and different sports injuries.
Why See a Chiropractor for Trigger Point Therapy?
Chiropractors are trained to identify the source of chronic pain, injuries, or musculoskeletal disorders. After an examination to find the cause, we will work with you to create a treatment plan that suits your needs, which may include trigger point therapy along with other chiropractic treatments. If you are in pain, there is no need to suffer any longer. We can help determine what’s causing it and guide you toward wellness.