The Northport Wellness Center in conjunction with ARI Medical, PC is pleased to offer Trigger Point Therapy to patients experiencing chronic pain.

What is Trigger Point Therapy?

Trigger Point Therapy (TPT) works to relieve chronic, muscular pain without oral medication. This is a universally well-received combination of clinically proven methods for the treatment of chronic muscular pain anywhere on the body.

Trigger points (myofascial pain) are small “knots”—or areas of spasm—within a muscle. They may be tender when touched or result in the shortening of a muscle. The shortening may then cause limitation in the range of motion of the affected area (i.e., in neck rotation). Trigger points may even cause “referred pain”—or pain that is felt in a distant location when the trigger point is touched.

What causes trigger points?

Causes of trigger points include:

• Accidents

• Misuse

• Overuse

• Misalignments

• Disc and Other Spinal Problems

The resulting inflammation, along with emotional stressors, cause muscle cells to contract. When the muscle cells contract continuously, thereby constricting their own blood supply, there is a local “energy crisis” for the cells. When this occurs, the cells do not have enough energy to stop contracting, and prolonged spasm and trigger points ensue.

How does it work?

Trigger Point Therapy essentially loosens these knots, allowing improved blood flow to the chronically spasmodic areas. As a result, the areas begin to heal. As soon as the knots are relieved, there is often an immediate and remarkable reduction in pain, soreness, and discomfort, as well as the beginning of long-term relief. If pursued properly over a number of sessions, the muscles will heal themselves and the symptoms will be abated.

The treatment is simple, minimally invasive, and quick. Improvement is usually noted after each visit.

Conditions associated with TP:

• Shoulder Pain

• Tennis Elbow

• Muscular Chest Wall Pain

• Low Back Pain

• Sciatica

• Knee Pain

• Ankle Pain

What is called myfascial pain or trigger point pain is frequently mistaken for:

• Fibromyalgia

• Myalgia

• Muscle Strain

• Chronic Joint Sprain

This is especially true when the symptoms persist long after the actual event or trauma that caused the pain.

If you or a loved one are experiencing chronic pain, Trigger Point Therapy may be the treatment you need to assist you in healing and achieving a greater quality of life.