Experiencing Soar Muscles?

Low back pain, shoulder tendonitis, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, all may have trigger points associated in their origins.

Trigger points cause stubborn long durations of pain and unrelenting nagging injuries that will not heal of their own accord. They are described as hypersensitive areas in muscle, soft connective tissue, ligaments, tendons, periosteum (connective tissue covering bones). Trigger points when compressed are locally tender and are often related to referred pain (meaning pain that is felt at a distant body site). Trigger points are even theorized to exist on organs and cause system dysfunction. One of the most remarkable and confusing features of trigger points is the referred pain aspect mentioned above. A person's initial awareness of a painful area is not its original source.

An 'active' trigger point is always tender, prevents full lengthening of muscle, weakens tissue, and often refers pain on compression. Trigger points decrease range of motion in tissue, causing a shortened or stiff feeling. A 'latent' trigger point is inactive with regard to referred pain but is tender when compressed. Shortening of the tissue still occurs but it is not generally associated with pain upon movement. Athletes suffering with pain or excessive soreness are experiencing a form of trigger point syndrome.

Trigger points are chemical in nature. When a sudden strain occurs, or if an athlete over trains, this causes an overload to their soft tissues. Trigger points are activated by a buildup of metabolic waste products that cause an 'ischemic' response. Ischemia is a loss of blood flow to the area and actually slows down the cellular metabolism inhibiting recovery and healing of an injury site. Trigger points can then become self-sustaining and may only respond to specific therapy. This is why you will often hear from an injured athlete that even though he or she took time off to let their injury heal, upon reactivity they discovered it was still there.

Treatment requires techniques that not only inactivate the trigger points, but also help restore full muscle length and conditioning. Neuromuscular therapy (NMT) is a generally accepted form of treatment for active trigger points and its associated injuries and conditions. Therapists are able to distinguish trigger points by physical examination. They look for local tenderness on compression, a taut band and referred pain.

To erase the trigger point, the therapist applies steady pressure within the athlete's tolerance for pain. This pressure actually increases the discomfort and excites the nerve ending. However, the excitement acts likes a circuit breaker to the trigger point and it short circuits the area thereby relieving the pain and erasing the trigger point. This pressure can be held in excess of 60 seconds until the pain and discomfort dissipates. Pressure should be increased on the point as the treatment continues.

After all the trigger points have been worked in the muscle groups associated with the injury or condition, the muscles should be gradually stretched and taken through their respective range of motion. They can then be strengthened and reconditioned to their normal tone and function through resistance and cardiovascular exercise. Depending upon the duration and severity of the condition, the athlete may require several sessions before the area is ready for full function and recovery.

If an athlete finds that he is suffering from a repetitive condition that normal rest and ice hasn't been able to cure, he or she may want to consider finding a therapist who has comprehensive knowledge of trigger points and their associated pain and conditions.