Myofascial Trigger Point Release Acupuncture & Chiropractic Care

           

Myofascial Trigger Point Release Acupuncture:

Myofascial trigger point release acupuncture is very effective in the treatment of muscle and joint pains resulting from injuries, orthopedic conditions, repetive strains and stress. Trigger points are located in soft-tissue, primarily in bands of tightened muscle fibers. Trigger points often develop as a consequence of acute or repetitive strain, muscular-skeletal imbalance, injury or disease. They may cause localized pain, referred pain, and reduced range of motion and function.

Effect of Trigger Points

 The problem of trigger points is not just that they are at the source of much myofascial pain; but that a muscle containing active trigger points undergoes shortening, and becomes weaker and less capable of the task at hand. This can then lead to a cascade of compensatory biomechanics, that further increase pain within the affected, and allied, muscles.



Role of Stress 

I have observed clinically a link between the presence of active trigger points and the presence of diffuse inflammation in the body. We know, scientifically, that constant and poorly managed stress places us in the "fight or flight" response that elevates our stress hormones like cortisol.

 

Treatment of Trigger Points and Stress with Acupuncture

: One of the great things about acupuncture of any kind is that is places you into the relaxation response, similar to what is achieved by meditation. Acupuncture reduces our body's biochemical responses to stress, lowers blood pressure and reduces inflammation and pain.

 In terms of hormones and neurotransmitters it does this by increasing the secretion of our body's natural opiates, endorphins; and by increasing secretion of natural cortisone-like anti-inflammation drugs in the adrenal glands.

 Myofascial trigger point acupuncture goes one step further. In addition to being profoundly relaxing, as above, when you relieve trigger points, especially the ones in the muscle belly associated with motor points, the muscle responds by actually lengthening; this has a decompressing effect on joints, tendons, and tendon sheaths. 

It is not unusual after a myofascial acupuncture treatment for the affected joints to "release" as after a chiropractic adjustment, gently, naturally, and safely. This is generally followed by an immediate relief in pain. 

It is also typical that after acupuncture treatment to feel extremely refreshed, as if after a deep sleep. One will often sleep profoundly well the night of a treatment, which has enormous restorative value.

The Benefit Of Receiving Chiropractic Care and Acupuncture Together…Pure Holistic Synergy

If you think about it using acupuncture and chiropractic care together just makes sense. Acupuncture and chiropractic care both share the view that many conditions including injuries and chronic pain can be successfully treated holistically without having to resort to drugs or surgery. Each healing modality has its own benefits, but the two work together in a complementary and synergistic manner. 

Acupuncture is a natural healing method that originated in China thousands of years ago and is one of pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The theory behind the practice is that ‘energy’ otherwise known as ‘qi’ travels through the body along what are called ‘meridians’, and these meridians tend to become blocked, leading to pain, tiredness and often disease. The acupuncturist uses hair-thin needles to insert through the skin at important meridian points that correspond to the patient’s problem, releasing blocked energy and allowing it to flow again. The needles are so thin that their insertion can barely be felt most of the time.

It is believed that Acupuncture needles trigger the nervous system to release pain relieving and healing chemicals into the muscles, brain and spinal cord. Contemporary medicine has determined that acupuncture can be useful in the treatment of pain with peer-reviewed medical studies proving its effectiveness. The World Health Organization acknowledges acupuncture to be useful in treating a wide variety of conditions, including neurological and muscular disorders such as headache, low back pain, fibromyalgia, tendinitis, sciatica and osteoarthritis; respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis and chest infections; gastric disorders such as gastritis, diarrhea, constipation and spastic colon; and problems with the urinary and reproductive systems.

Chiropractic treatment works in a similar manner, using chiropractic adjustments to balance the body and align a misaligned spine, which may interfere with the proper transmission of nerve impulses throughout the body. In Chiropractic care the spinal cord is considered the main conduit through which all the body’s regulatory and pain signals flow, and when the vertebrae move out of place due to stress, muscle tension or injury, the body does not function properly which results in pain and discomfort.

An acupuncture treatment when receiving chiropractic care is beneficial, as it helps to balance your body so your body is more able to hold your chiropractic adjustment, helps to reduce pain signals to a tolerable level, relaxes your muscles and increases blood flow to speed healing so that your chiropractor can more easily perform therapeutic alignments and manipulations to your spine and joints, avoiding the necessity of resorting to pain-killers or other pharmaceuticals.

Acupuncture has been proven to be effective in treating chronic back pain and other musculoskeletal problems, which are also the most common problems treated by chiropractors, the two healing modalities work well together to help make your pain a thing of the past.