Trigger point therapy is a type of massage which utilizes pressure to ease the pain from a herniated disc. Trigger points are small painful knots of tissue that may form in response to chronic low back pain, injury, or overuse. Trigger point therapy targets these knots to help reduce chronic low back pain. Trigger points may also be painful when pressed and therefore may cause intense pain in that area which can then radiate down to other areas of the body. Trigger point therapy is a non-invasive alternative to conventional back pain control, which has been proven to produce encouraging results for many individuals.

Trigger point therapy can be employed by physical therapists who treat injured or chronically pain patients. Typically, physical therapists use this kind of treatment with both the patients and their therapists. This technique may also be used by chiropractors and osteopaths. Trigger point therapy is especially helpful for people that have developed chronic low back pain but may have experienced previous therapy or surgery that did not alleviate chronic pain.

Trigger point therapy is used in conjunction with conventional back pain management methods in order to maximize its benefits and minimize its potential for generating additional pain. Trigger point therapy entails manual methods which are applied to specific areas of the spine. Manual techniques include dry needling and ultrasound. In dry needling, a therapist uses a small electrical current to heat up the soft tissues which are causing pain. Ultrasound is also widely used in trigger point therapy in order to increase blood circulation to the nerves and muscles of the back.

Trigger point therapy has been proven to be effective in relieving chronic low back pain for patients. Trigger point remedies often take a few weeks to see significant relief of pain. Trigger point treatments are most successful when used in combination with other conservative treatments and/or exercises. It is important that patients avoid activities that aggravate their situation. Avoiding overhead lifting or actions that involve prolonged stretching can help reduce trigger points and the associated pain. Patients should not rest on their backs indefinitely because of the adverse effects of trigger points.

Trigger point therapy is often recommended as a first line of defense when treating conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetic neuropathy, and shingles. Trigger-point therapy is often used first for patients who respond well to manual techniques. Trigger-point dry needling is sometimes administered before a patient starts any type of therapeutic exercise or physical therapy. Trigger point therapy can be administered by health care providers in their own offices or in facilities provided by skilled chiropractic therapists and osteopaths. Trigger point treatments are generally conducted by health care providers in an office setting, although they may also be administered at a health club facility in which they perform overall bodywork.

Trigger point and acupuncture points are targeted during trigger-point treatment sessions. The purpose of the sessions is to release negative energy that has accumulated in the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the spine. Trigger point therapy is usually used to treat conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, nerve root pain, frozen shoulder and herpes. Trigger point and acupuncture points may also be used to treat ailments which do not fall under the acute category, such as chronic pain, stenosis and psoriatic arthritis.

Trigger point therapy is predicated on the theory that myofascial trigger points situated in the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the spine can promote the development and progression of many different ailments, including chronic pain. Trigger points are thought to generate pressure and friction that could promote the breakdown of adhesions, synovial fluid and other connective tissue. Trigger point therapy helps to restore the myofascial structure through a gentle and repetitive process of stretching and manipulating the targeted muscles and tendons. Trigger point therapy can be used for a variety of body pains and the most common conditions treated include neck pain, lower back pain, tennis elbow and hip pain, lower left leg pain, tennis elbow and lower right leg pain. Trigger point therapy can also help myofascial trigger points which are associated with fibromyalgia, shingles, migraine headaches and menstrual pain.


Trigger point therapy is conducted by professional therapists and is covered by health insurance from the U.S. Trigger point therapy and acupuncture have been around for years and both types of therapy have the same aim; to release stress and pain. Trigger point therapy and acupuncture work together to treat myofascial pain by manipulating trigger factors in the body that are associated with particular problems. Trigger point therapy is safe and effective, but it's important to find the services of a licensed practitioner so as to receive the treatment. It is also important to realize that Trigger point therapy may result in an allergic reaction, asthma and/or vomiting. If you experience a negative reaction or any distress after having had your acupuncture treatment, contact your doctor immediately and report the occurrence.