For several months you have experienced constant discomfort in your neck and jaw. You have headaches as well and maybe even spots on your scalp that hurt to the touch. A visit to the doctor may bring about tests such as a CT scan, specialist referrals and prescriptions for muscle relaxers, pain pills or anti-depressants. After taking medications that make you drowsy with no long term relief and undergoing stressful testing showing nothing is wrong, you and your doctor are at a loss. If this scenario sounds at all familiar, you may benefit from neuromuscular massage therapy.
Neuromuscular massage therapy is trigger point massage. A trigger point is a knot or irritated spot in a taut band of muscles. Trigger points can cause localized or referred pains, meaning the pain you feel in your head or jaw may come from trigger point knots in your upper back or chest.
Trigger points can be located in various muscle groups all over your body causing unexplained chronic pain in your legs, pelvic region, lower back, arms, hands, abdomen and chest; along with the neck, jaw and head pain described above. Trigger point pain can mimic serious conditions such as heart problems, endometriosis, arthritis and TMJ. It’s not uncommon for patients to undergo extensive testing and even surgery in the search for the cause of their pain.
Stress, repetitive movement, overuse, poor posture and injury can all lead to the occurrence of trigger points. Once a trigger point has developed they can be difficult to treat. Stretching has proven ineffective and strength training may make the knots worse. However massage brings proven relief to patients suffering with trigger point pain. If you are suffering from chronic pain or are unable to find respite from traditional medical treatment, contact us. At Lake Pointe Chiropractic and Wellness Center our professional massage staff offers neuromuscular massage for trigger point therapy in a safe, caring environment.
