How Do You Treat Trigger Points?

Trigger points are small knots or hardenings that can form in muscles, often causing pain or referring pain to other areas of the body. This is commonly known as “referred pain.” For example, a trigger point in the shoulder may cause pain in the arm. Interested in treating these trigger points? Read on!

What Causes Trigger Points?

There are two types of trigger points: active and latent. Active trigger points cause pain when touched and can also lead to other symptoms like weakness or reduced mobility. Latent trigger points do not cause direct pain but can contribute to the development of active trigger points.

Common causes of trigger points include:

• Muscle Overload: Often due to poor posture, bad body alignment, or overuse.
• Trauma: Such as accidents, falls, or sports injuries.
• Stress: Particularly involving tense or repetitive movements, like typing or teeth grinding.
• Lack of Sleep or Fatigue: Which can contribute to muscle tension.
• Restricted Blood Flow: Which can lead to tightness in the muscles.

Treatment of trigger points can be performed by a physiotherapist or massage therapist and typically involves applying pressure to the trigger point, stretching the muscles, and using techniques like dry needling, which we offer at Ruggensteun. It’s important to address the underlying causes of trigger points, such as poor posture or repetitive movements, to prevent recurrence.

How Do You Treat Trigger Points with Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a technique where a specialist inserts a thin needle through the skin to treat trigger points. These trigger points are muscle knots that cause pain, fatigue, and limited mobility.

The key benefits of dry needling are that it is a fast and effective method for treating trigger points. It can reduce pain and improve mobility. Additionally, it is a minimally invasive technique with few side effects.

One downside of dry needling is that it can sometimes be painful during the procedure. There may also be temporary light bleeding or bruising at the treated area. Some individuals may be sensitive to needles and anxious about the treatment.

It’s crucial to emphasize that dry needling should only be performed by qualified and experienced therapists. Additionally, you should consult your doctor before starting dry needling, especially if you are taking blood thinners, other medications, or have a medical condition.

Would you like to schedule an appointment to treat trigger points with dry needling? Contact our specialists by filling out the contact form or giving us a call!