Cold Compression Neck Wrap

Ultrasound Trigger Point Therapy

Ultrasound Trigger Point Therapy

What Are Trigger Points?

Trigger points cause pain more often than any other condition, are drastically under-diagnosed due to lack of information. Trigger points are specific, hyperirritable and hypersensitive areas in muscle that suffer from decreased circulation, increased contraction and spasm. Lack of circulation creates a high anomaly of toxins and increased nerve sensitivity that can range from low ache to sharp pain. Now just because the trigger point causes the pain does not mean that the spot is painful itself. When the pain causing spot is painful it is called a primary trigger point. However, pain can also manifest itself in areas away from the active trigger point - such pain is called referred pain.

Referred Pain

The most common referred pain is in the form of headaches and shoulder pain, caused from trigger points in the back of the neck (occipital ridge area, levator scapulae), shoulder (upper trapezius) and upper back (rotator cuff, rhomboids and lower trapezius). Such trigger points can remain dormant for very long periods of time but will eventually cause spasm or pain. A great many headaches are caused from these trigger points referring sensation into certain areas of the head (typically the myofascial muscle area); the headache symptoms usually are treated with painkillers, though the underlying cause is almost never addressed!

...a great many headaches are caused from these trigger points referring sensation into certain areas of the head...

 

 

 

...headache symptoms usually are treated with painkillers though the underlying cause is almost never addressed...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Causes Of Trigger Point Pain

Tender trigger points typically develop from lack of stretching or improper stretching but can also be caused from stress/trauma, repetitive motion or even poor posture.

Other common causes are:
• sitting without firm back support (slumped posture)
• prolonged sitting in a chair without armrests, or armrests that are too high, or too low (leaning to one side)
• cradling a phone between ear and shoulder
• large breasts
• one leg shorter than the other
• typing on a keyboard that is too high
• prolonged improper sleeping position
• playing a violin
• kayaking
• overly tight bra straps
• carrying a purse (prolonged hiking up of the shoulder)
• head-forward posture
• whiplash
• walking with a cane that is too long

Reduced circulation in trigger points will eventually lead to muscle shortening and restricted movement which further accentuates the pain, thus completing a cycle of decreased mobility and further pain. This commonly becomes the underlying cause of chronic headache pain, and the patient will continue to suffer from these until the problem trigger points are treated directly.

Common Symptoms of Trigger Point Pain

Common symptoms of trigger point pain residing in the trapezius and shoulder/neck muscles are:

• headaches on the temple (tension headaches)
• pain behind the eye
• dizziness or vertigo
• severe and/or sharp neck pain
• stiff neck (limited range of motion)
• intolerance to weight on the shoulders (purse, backpack, etc.)
• pain on the back of the shoulder pain or on the inside of the upper arm
• a deep ache over the top of the shoulder
• a burning pain close to the spine between upper shoulder blades

Please be aware that this information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider before starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. © All rights reserved, In.Genu Design Group Inc.

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