Trigger point therapy involves quickly stimulating irritable spots in muscle in order to relax the muscle. This stimulation usually involves a needle without anything on it. This is called dry needling. However, some trigger point therapy also involves injecting medication into the trigger point to reduce pain.
Trigger point therapy is used for various types of pain, including back pain, a condition that causes persistent muscle pain (myofascial pain syndrome), neck pain, joint pain, migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, shoulder pain, and abdominal pain. But there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
- Abdominal pain. Login for details
- Fibromyalgia. Login for details
- Joint pain. Login for details
- Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis). Login for details
- Migraine headache. Login for details
- Muscle strength. Login for details
- Neck pain. Login for details
- Osteoarthritis. Login for details
- Plantar heel pain. Login for details
- Shoulder pain. Login for details
- Stroke. Login for details
- Temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Login for details
It is not clear how trigger point therapy works. Some people think that the needle might prevent the nerves and muscles from working too much in a specific spot. Other people think that the needle might increase the chemicals in the body that help a person to relax. But there is no good scientific evidence to support these theories.
Trigger point therapy is POSSIBLY SAFE when used properly by someone who has been trained in trigger point therapy. But it can cause serious side effects if the needle goes into the area around the lungs or into the spine.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if trigger point therapy is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. However, there is no reason to expect safety issues.It is not known if this treatment interacts with any medicines. Before using this treatment, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
The appropriate or safe use of trigger point therapy depends on several factors such as the condition being treated or the person administering the treatment. Be sure to seek and follow relevant directions from your physician or other healthcare professional before using this treatment.
Deep Dry Needling, Dry Needling, Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy, Neuromuscular Therapy, NMT, Positional Release Therapy, PRT, TPT, Trigger Point Injection, Trigger Point Management.
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