What is Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy?
Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy is a pioneering approach to the treatment of musculoskeletal pain conditions. It involves the identification and treatment of myofascial trigger points within the muscle using either injection therapy, manual manipulation or needling of the muscle tissue (Intra-Muscular Stimulation).
The discovery of the function of myofascial trigger points and identifying them as a cause of musculoskeletal pain (Myofascial Pain Syndrome) is attributed to the pioneering works of Dr Janet G. Travell, MD, (1901 – 1997).
Unfortunately, despite the success of Dr Janet G. Travell, MD, the diagnosis and treatment of myofascial trigger points is still frequently over-looked and yet to be included as part of standard medical training. America is however the country leading the way in this pioneering treatment technique and it is slowly being adopted in Europe and the UK.
What is Myofascial Pain?
Myofascial pain results from injury, stress and/or strain of the muscles caused by a number of different factors including muscle de-conditioning, poor posture, repetitive mechanical stress, mechanical imbalance and joint disorders.
When stressed or injured the muscle fibres shorten and form contracted knots, known as myofascial trigger points. Myofascial trigger points cause pain, stiffness, tension, physical limitation and loss of normal function of the muscles.
Trigger points can also cause referred pain meaning that a trigger point in one muscle can be the cause of pain felt in another area of the body. For example, active myofascial trigger points in the muscles of the shoulder and neck are a common cause of headaches/migraines.
What does treatment involve?
Once a consultation and examination has taken place to identify the myofascial trigger points causing the pain symptoms they can be treated in one of three ways including injection therapy, manual manipulation of the muscle tissue or inserting a very fine needle directly into the myofascial trigger point (Intra-Muscular Stimulation). The latter should not be confused with traditional acupuncture which has a completely different method and philosophy to its application.
The preferred method of treatment used at the Centre is needling the trigger point using a very fine needle (Intra-Muscular Stimulation). The use of needles offers the benefit of reaching the deeper muscle structures which are inaccessible by manual manipulation and also avoids the possible side effects of injection therapy.
As the needle enters the trigger point the muscle elicits a local twitch response/very quick muscle contraction deactivating the trigger point and allowing the muscle to relax and return to its normal length alleviating pain, tightness and the muscle to function properly again.
Which conditions can be treated by Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy?
Myofascial trigger points are not only a primary cause of pain, giving rise to a diagnosis of Myofascial Pain Syndrome or Chronic Myofascial Pain, but more commonly are the cause of pain symptoms of other conditions which have a muscular component. Such conditions include, but are not limited to;
- Back Pain including disc pain (bulge/rupture/herniation)
- Sciatic pain / Piriformis syndrome
- Headaches/Migraines
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain including rotator cuff pain, frozen shoulder
- Tendinitis/tendinopathy – all types
- Tennis / Golfers elbow
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Intra pelvic pain
- Hip / Groin pain
- Coccyx pain
- Hamstring strains
- Calf tightness/spasms
- Knee pain/Patella tendonitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Achilles pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Jaw pain (TMJD)
How long does it take for treatment to work?
The number of treatment sessions will depend upon the condition being treated and how quickly the individual responds to treatment. Acute pain conditions can be successfully treated in as few as one or two treatment sessions. Research has suggested that a course of between six and eight treatment sessions is required for long-standing painful conditions.
Who should perform Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy?
The successful outcome of treatment depends heavily on the ability to precisely locate the correct trigger points. Treatment should therefore only be performed by a highly trained Clinician with expert knowledge of Clinical anatomy and pathology.
The needling (Intra-Muscular Stimulation) or injection of trigger points should only be carried out by an expertly trained Clinician with a Medical Degree to ensure a high level of safety during the procedure.
The Centre is leading the way and is the first to offer this pioneering treatment with highly successful outcomes for clients.
Our Myofascial Trigger Point Clinician has over 10 years experience using this technique having attended lectures and training by Dr Robert Gerwin, MD. Dr Robert Gerwin, MD, a board certified Neurologist in the United States, was personally trained by the pioneer of this treatment technique, the late Dr Janet G. Travell, MD.
