Have you ever felt an ache in your body without knowing the cause? Or sometimes felt as if there were a hard lump in the muscle, painful when pressed? These symptoms may be a sign of a Trigger Point, or tender point, which is a problem often met and affects the quality of life of a great many people. In this article we will take you to an understanding of what a Trigger Point is, so that you understand the causes, the symptoms, and the correct ways of treating it.

What is a Trigger Point?

A Trigger Point is a knot in the layer of muscle, or fascia in the layer of muscle, that is sensitive to stimulation, found in pain arising from muscle and fascia (Myofascial Pain Syndrome). When pressed or touched it feels painful, and when touched beneath the skin it feels like a knot. A Trigger Point is a problem arising from the repeated contraction of that muscle, so that the muscle contracts and does not release, with the result that a tender point arises on the muscle (Taut Band), which can arise in every part of the body.

This tenderness may arise both in the area with the lump of muscle directly and in the neighbouring area. Besides this it can also cause pain referred to another position (Referred Pain). When a Trigger Point arises in the body and is not treated but left to become chronic, it can cause chronic muscle pain (Myofascial Pain Syndrome, or office syndrome), which greatly affects quality of life.

The kinds of Trigger Point

The kinds of Trigger Point

Trigger Points can be divided into 2 main kinds according to the character of the symptoms and the response to stimulation, namely the Active Trigger Point and the Latent Trigger Point, each kind having its own particular character.

Active Trigger Point

An Active Trigger Point is a tender point highly sensitive to stimulation. When pressed, an Active Trigger Point feels painful and there may be pain referred to other areas of the body. A tender point of the Active Trigger Point kind usually arises from acute injury or from using the muscle too much, so that pain arises even when it is not stimulated.

Latent Trigger Point

A Latent Trigger Point is a tender point that does not cause pain in normal circumstances, but is painful when pressed or stimulated directly. A tender point of this kind may remain for a long time after an injury of the muscle, without showing clear symptoms until it is stimulated.

The causes of a Trigger Point arising

A Trigger Point is a tender point arising from several causes, most of which involve unsuitable use of the muscle or injury. When the muscle contracts for a long time, pressure arises on the blood vessels within it, so that the circulation of blood and the amount of oxygen in the muscle decrease, with the result that the process of producing energy in the cell (ATP) and the process of contraction and release of the muscle are impaired, and a state of energy shortage (Energy Crisis) arises until a Trigger Point forms. Let us see what the main causes of a Trigger Point arising are.

  • Using the muscle repeatedly: doing an activity that uses the same muscle repeatedly over a long period, such as typing on a computer or playing certain sports
  • Staying in the same posture for long periods, such as sitting and working in front of a computer for a long time, or using a smartphone in an unsuitable posture
  • Injury of the muscle, whether from an accident or from playing sport
  • Stress, which makes the muscle contract continuously
  • A lack of exercise, which leaves the muscle weak and without flexibility
  • An abnormal structure of the body, such as a hunched back or scoliosis, which makes the muscle work hard to maintain balance
  • A lack of certain nutrients and vitamins, such as vitamin C, vitamin B, vitamin D, folic acid, and iron

Where are Trigger Points found?

Where Trigger Points are found

The pain from a Trigger Point may be both localized pain, in the area with the problem, or pain referred to another position (Referral pain), such as pain in the upper back referred to the head, or pain in the hip referred to the leg. Sometimes there may be numbness alongside. Knowing the positions where Trigger Points usually arise helps you identify the problem and find a suitable way of treating it more quickly. Trigger Points can arise in the muscle of every part of the body, but are often found in areas that are heavily used or bear a great deal of pressure. The positions where Trigger Points are often found include:

  • The area of the neck and the shoulder
  • The upper back
  • The lower back
  • The hip and the buttock
  • The calf and the sole of the foot

The symptoms arising from a Trigger Point

Is a Trigger Point dangerous

A Trigger Point affects the body in several forms. The symptom often met is pain at a particular point when it is pressed or touched, and sometimes there may be pain referred to other areas of the body. Besides this, those with a Trigger Point usually feel that the muscle is tighter and harder than normal, so that movement is limited. For some there may be weakness of the muscle in the area with the problem, and also numbness or a feeling of sharp tingling. These symptoms can affect daily life and overall quality of life.

Is a Trigger Point dangerous?

A Trigger Point is a state that does not reach the point of being life-threatening, but it should not be overlooked, because if it is left without treatment a Trigger Point can make the nervous system and the muscles change, so that an imbalance arises in the production of neurotransmitters both in the brain and in the muscle, making the muscle contract more easily. Besides this, in the long term it may affect the structure of the body, such as making the shoulders uneven in height, the back bent, or the legs unequal in length, which may lead to other health problems in its train.

The ways of treating a Trigger Point

There are several ways of treating a Trigger Point, depending on the severity of the symptoms and the cause. In general, treatment usually begins with a method that is not severe, and is gradually changed according to the response of the body. The ways of treating a Trigger Point commonly used are as follows.

Changing habits of living

Changing habits in daily life is an important and effective way of treating and preventing a Trigger Point, since a Trigger Point is a condition usually arising from habits that make the muscle work too hard or stay in one posture for a long time. Changing the posture of work, resting at intervals, and using suitable equipment, such as an ergonomic office chair, or placing the computer at a suitable level, can help reduce the risk of a Trigger Point arising and relieve the symptoms.

Exercise

Exercise

Exercise is an effective way of relieving the symptoms of a Trigger Point and preventing it from arising again, particularly exercise that emphasises stretching the muscle (Stretching) and building the strength of the muscle. The activities advised include yoga, pilates, or various low-impact forms of exercise. Besides this, self-massage or using a ball to press the point can also help release the muscle and reduce the pain.

Massage to release the muscle

Massage to release the muscle is a popular way of treating a Trigger Point, because massage helps increase the circulation of blood to the muscle, reduce the tightness of the muscle, and release the Trigger Point effectively. The methods of massage commonly used in treating a Trigger Point may be called by various names, whether Trigger Point Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage, Myofascial Release, Sport massage, or even treatment with shockwave, Shockwave Therapy, which should be done by a specialist for a good and safe result. However, the effectiveness depends on the technique and the frequency, and the result of the treatment usually does not last in the long term.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a comprehensive and effective way of treating a Trigger Point. The physician in rehabilitation medicine (Rehabilitation Medicine) or the physiotherapist will assess the symptoms and the cause of the Trigger Point and then design a programme of treatment suited to each individual. Physiotherapy helps restore the working of the muscle, increase flexibility, and increase strength. Besides this it also helps improve posture and movement, which corrects the problem at its root and prevents a Trigger Point from arising again in the future.

The steps of treating a Trigger Point at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic

At PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic we have comprehensive and systematic steps for treating a Trigger Point, beginning with coming to consult a specialist physician, who will assess your symptoms in detail, by taking the history, examining the body, and diagnosing the severity of the symptoms.

After the assessment, the doctor will diagnose and plan the treatment most suitable for your symptoms, which may include physiotherapy using the latest medical technology, such as western medical needling, treating the pain with a magnetic field, and the use of a high-power laser. The way of treating it, however, depends on the severity of the symptoms and on what suits each individual.

Besides this, our team of rehabilitation physicians will give advice on changing habits in daily life, and teach suitable exercises to prevent a Trigger Point from arising again, following up the result of the treatment closely to be sure that you obtain the best result.

FAQ

For those with questions about Trigger Points, we have gathered the questions often met and answered them, as follows.

Is treating a Trigger Point painful?

The worry about whether treating a Trigger Point is painful depends on the form of treatment. With western needling, for example, there is a dull, heavy pain similar to being pressed deeply in massage, and the dull pain increases when the needle stimulates the Trigger Point directly. In some cases there may also be pain referred to various areas.

What is the price of the Trigger Point treatment programme at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic?

The price of treating a Trigger Point at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic covers 3 services, as follows.

Can treatment of a Trigger Point at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic be claimed on insurance?

Claiming insurance for a physiotherapy clinic or a clinic of rehabilitation medicine, for treating a Trigger Point at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic, depends on each policy and whether the cost of treatment involving physiotherapy can be claimed. But if a medical certificate is needed, PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic can issue a medical certificate for every service carried out within the clinic. The patient should therefore check the rights and the conditions of the insurance as to whether it gives cover.

Can treatment of a Trigger Point at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic cure it completely?

A Trigger Point is the repeated use of the same muscle until the muscle contracts and pain arises. Treating a Trigger Point at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic can cure it completely, but if you go back to the same habits that put stress on the muscle, it can come back again.

Summary

A Trigger Point is a problem often met that affects the quality of life of many people, arising from the contraction of the muscle over a long period, which causes pain, tightness, and inability to move fully. Although it is not life-threatening, if it is left it may lead to other health problems in its train. There are several ways of treating a Trigger Point, from changing habits of living, exercise, and massage to release the muscle, through to physiotherapy. The suitable way of treating it depends on the severity of the symptoms and the cause of the problem. Effective treatment not only relieves the present symptoms but also helps prevent it arising again in the future.

At PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic we have a team of specialist physicians in rehabilitation medicine and expert physiotherapists ready to give comprehensive care and treatment for Trigger Points, with precise diagnosis and a plan of treatment adjusted to suit each individual. We are committed to helping you return to a better quality of life, free of the pain of a Trigger Point. If you are interested, you can ask for further information from the clinic staff on Floor L, Gaysorn Village, or ask for information through

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