If you've ever been seriously stressed, then you probably know what it's like to feel a sharp ache in your neck or back, and when you reach over to find out the cause, you only feel a lump of solid muscle. Sometimes this might scare you, as you wonder if the mass could be a tumor. But as it turns out, it's only a trigger point--what we colloquially refer to as a "knot" in the muscle.
Trigger points are known to cause pain, tenderness, and even twitching at and around the affected area. Medical professionals aren't entirely sure what actually causes them, but I know that the knots in my neck and back have cropped up because those are the areas that tend to tense when I am stressed. So what can you do for the trigger points that are causing you discomfort and additional stress?
You should know that trigger points are different from tender points. Tender points compose a series of painful spots on the body that can be used to help diagnose fibromyalgia, a serious condition that causes widespread muscular aches and tiredness.
Trigger points, on the other hand, cause nodules out of the muscle fibers that you can actually feel. There are over 620 potential trigger points across the human body. Many of them are latent, which means they are there, but they aren't actively causing pain. If you aren't sure about the nature of your symptoms, then have a chat with your doctor.
One of the best things you can do to effectively deal with the pain is to also effectively deal with your stress. When you feel pain radiating from one of your trigger points, take a deep, calming breath and stretch carefully.
Massage therapy, particularly in the form of deep-tissue massage, is thought to be beneficial in relieving some of the pain associated with muscular knots. The nodules they cause may even dissipate for awhile, though they will most likely re-form eventually. Regular massage therapy sessions will also work wonders for your ability to relax, which may prevent new trigger points from developing.
When trigger points become more serious, you may want to consult with your physician to explore other treatment options. This may include the injection of a local anesthetic or, in the cases that involve serious twitching, a shot of botulinum toxin, which acts to temporarily paralyze the affected muscle.
Trigger points can cause frustrating, persistent pain. It should be countered with over-the-counter pain relievers, but again, if you aren't sure, consult with your doctor.
Author Resource:-
Austin Chiropractic & Massage Therapy Center. (http://www.austinactivelife.com/) Voted Best of Austin massage therapy. Provides chiropractic, exercise rehabilitation, professional sports injury care & advice, massage therapy, Graston Technique, and workshops on nutrition & weight loss.
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