*** CURRENTLY ON HOLD IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY***
Trigger Points
A trigger point is a hypersensitive region located in a tight muscle. According to Dr. Janet Travell and David Simmons, there is a causal relationship between chronic pain and its source, often a trigger point. Pressure on these points can send referred pain to other specific parts of the body. These areas are often referred to as muscle spasms or knots. The trigger points can be formed for many reasons. Sometimes they will form as the result of an injury to the muscle. This injury can be the result of a direct trauma, overuse injury, or as the result of a "whiplash" injury. They can also be formed as the result of a muscle dysfunction or imbalance.
Trigger points have been treated through massage, medicine, and injections. Recent studies advocate the use of Dry Needling to be an effective treatment when combined with Physical Therapy
Dry Needling
Trigger Point Dry Needling, TDN, is a treatment for muscular tightness and spasm which commonly follows injuries and often accompanies the degenerative processes. This muscular tightness and spasm will cause compression and irritation of the nerves exiting the spine. When the nerves are irritated, they cause a protective spasm of all the muscles to which they are connected. This may cause peripheral diagnoses, such as carpal tunnel, tendonitis, osteoarthritis, decreased mobility and chronic pain. Small, thin needles are inserted in the muscles at the trigger points causing the pain referral. The muscles would then contract and release, improving flexibility of the muscle and decreasing symptoms. TDN involves placing a small needle into the muscle at the trigger point which is typically in an area which the muscle is tight and may be tender with the intent of causing the muscle to contract and then release, improving the flexibility of the muscle and therefore decreasing the symptoms.
Please follow the following links for more information on this exciting new technique:
www.kinetacore.com
Orthopedic Physical Therapy and Dry Needling:
Dry Needling and Physical Therapy
American Board of Family Medicine:
Dry Needling in the Management of Muscoloskeletal Pain
www.kinetacore.com
Orthopedic Physical Therapy and Dry Needling:
Dry Needling and Physical Therapy
American Board of Family Medicine:
Dry Needling in the Management of Muscoloskeletal Pain
