Guide To How Chiropractors Treat Back Pain

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger points are areas of skeletal muscle that produce discomfort when they are compressed. Also known as neuromuscular therapy and myofascial trigger point therapy, trigger point therapy detects and releases these painful areas. After performing an exam to identify muscle tenderness, chiropractors can release these points through the use of finger pressure. The chiropractor will apply pressure for a few seconds with their finger and thumb. Once the muscle relaxes, they will massage the area. The finger pressure method is the least invasive method of trigger point therapy, and it is often the first choice for treatment. 

Practitioners may sometimes choose to use the spray-stretch method of trigger point therapy. This approach consists of spraying a cooling substance onto the muscle. After this has been applied, the chiropractor will gently stretch the muscle. The spray-stretch method may not be appropriate for patients who have limited movement. Dry needling (acupuncture) techniques can be useful in the release of trigger points as well. Some practitioners may use acupuncture needles for these techniques, and others might employ laser acupuncture. Only one acupuncture needle is used per trigger point, and the needle is inserted directly into the center of the affected muscle. Most dry needling sessions last less than ten minutes, and this method can be more comfortable than finger pressure for some individuals.