Chiropractic Care and Trigger Points
by Dr. Bryan Barry ◊ Oct 07, 2011
Trigger points or myofascial trigger points (MFTP) are persistent localized muscle spasms and pockets of inflammation between layers of muscle and connective fascial tissue that can cause a great deal of pain and tenderness. Trigger points alone may be responsible for many cases of neck, upper back, scapular, shoulder, and lower back pain. This relationship is fairly common knowledge among physicians who treat pain, including chiropractors, rheumatologists, and physiatrists (doctors of physical medicine).
What is not generally known is that trigger points may also be implicated in radiating pain into the arm and hand or radiating pain into the leg and foot. In fact, radiating pain due to trigger points may be mistaken for pain caused by a herniated disc, in either the neck or lower back. Trigger point pain affecting the wrist and hand may even be misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome. A patient in whom a correct diagnosis of trigger point pain is missed may lose much precious time and other resources, as one “tries” one doctor after another and needlessly undergoes all sorts of complex and costly testing.
The key to correctly identifying the source and cause of upper or lower extremity radiating pain is to be able to accurately characterize its nature. Radiating pain caused by trigger points is diffused – the pain broadly covers a region. This diffused pain is described as “scleratogenous,” meaning that it is pain referred from connective tissue, such as muscle and tendon. Radiating pain caused by a compressed spinal nerve (ultimately caused by a herniated disc, for example) is described as “radicular” or “dermatomal.” This pain is confined to a specific area – the area that is supplied by a specific spinal nerve. For example, pain involving the thumb and index finger could be caused by compression of the C6 spinal nerve. Pain involving the outside of the foot and the little toe could be caused by compression of the S1 spinal nerve.
Scleratogenous pain is not specific. A person might complain of pain across the “shawl” portion of the upper back and traveling into the upper arm, experienced “all over” the upper arm. Another person might be experiencing pain across the gluteal region, hip, and upper thigh. Both of these patterns of radiating pain are likely due to several trigger points, localized to the respective areas.
Of course, an accurate diagnosis is necessary to be able to develop an effective treatment strategy. The combination of the history, examination, and diagnostic studies will allow your Chiropractor to reach a specific diagnosis, which will help the doctor determine whether your condition will respond to conservative chiropractic care.
Your Chiropractor will explain the report of findings: the diagnosed condition, chiropractic treatment plan (or other recommended treatments), and the anticipated length of care. The good news is that, although trigger points necessarily represent a chronic muscular process, they may be treated with very good to excellent outcomes using conservative protocols. Chiropractic and acupuncture care is the optimal method for managing trigger point pain. Chiropractic care is a drug-free approach which directly addresses the biomechanical causes of these persistent trigger points and their associated patterns of radiating pain. Chiropractic care improves mobility and restores function, helping to reduce and resolve chronic pain. Acupuncture utilizes tiny sterile needles that can be inserted to break up the fibrous bands causing pain, inflammation, and spasm.
Ready to finally get rid of that chronic pain? We are always available for a FREE consultation to discuss your health concerns in private. Visit www.DrBryanBarry.com for great health information or call 203.288.2821 to speak with Dr. Barry directly.
