Trigger Points (Part II)

Now that you have familiarized yourself with trigger points, let’s look at how they manifest themselves in your body.  In other words, what are the symptoms indicating trigger points and the associated referral pain?  What can be done to help correct the situation?

First, it’s important to note that there are two types of trigger points – active and latent.

• Active trigger points typically have referral pain and occur due to some injury to the muscle.  This injury can be trauma related, or it can also be the result of repetitive use, poor posture, or nerve irritation.  There is also both pain at rest and the area is tender to the touch.
• Latent trigger points are more localized, causing a limited range of motion and weakness to the area affected.  It may or may not be painful to the touch.

It is not uncommon that active trigger points become latent, or that latent become active.  Many people may believe that when pain returns after long absence it’s a new injury.  In reality, the problem was only laying dormant and something happened to re-aggravate the same injury.

Symptoms of a trigger point can include:

• limited range of motion
• pain
• dizziness
• weakness
• loss of coordination
• buckling of the knees
• ringing in the ears
• tingling
• urinary frequency
• muscle fatigue
• sweating
• tearing of the eyes
• tension headaches

Fortunately, there are ways to correct the situation and bring the body back into balance.  One is with trigger point massage therapy, which helps to address the knot of constricted muscles that are causing the pain.  Another option is through chiropractic adjustments.  Many times a misalignment in the skeletal system can cause undo stress on certain muscles.  Only by putting things back into alignment can this be remedied.  Ideally, the best course of treatment involves both massage and adjustments, plus strengthening the affected muscles.  Damron Chiropractic & Wellness is unique in that it offers all three therapies under one roof.  Our highly trained team of professionals work in unison to address the needs of every patient that walks through our doors.  Our goal with this approach is to get you out of pain and back to wellness, so you can get back to enjoying your life once again!