Trigger Point Therapy
About Trigger Point Therapy
What are Trigger Points?
According to Travell and Simons, the clinical definition of a myofascial trigger point is "a hyperirritable spot in skeletal muscle that is associated with a hypersensitive palpable nodule in a taut band. This spot is painful on compression and can give rise to characteristic referred pain, referred tenderness, motor dysfunction, and autonomic "phenomena."
There are three primary criteria for a trigger point:
1. A palpable taut band in muscle tissue.
2. An exquisitely tender spot located within the taut band.
3. A familiar pain to the patient or a referred pain pattern.
In addition to the findings above, it is possible to also have:
4. A local twitch response upon pressing the tender spot.
5. Painful end-range of motion.
6. Muscle weakness or poor coordination.
7. Numbness and tingling among other sensations.