Myofascial Trigger Points - Chiropractic Treatment

Myofascial Trigger Points
December 2007
Elizabeth Demers Lavelle MDa, William Lavelle MDb, Corresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The Corresponding Author and Howard S. Smith MD, FACPa
aDepartment of Anesthesiology, Albany Medical Center, 43 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA
bDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, 1367 Washington Avenue, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY 12206, USA

Painful conditions of the musculoskeletal system, including previous termmyofascialnext term pain syndrome, constitute some of the most important chronic problems encountered in a clinical practice. A previous termmyofascialnext term trigger point is a hyperirritable spot, usually within a taut band of skeletal muscle, which is painful on compression and can give rise to characteristic referred pain, motor dysfunction, and autonomic phenomena. Trigger points may be relieved through noninvasive measures, such as spray and stretch, transcutaneous electrical stimulation, physical therapy, and massage. Invasive treatments for previous termmyofascialnext term trigger points include injections with local anesthetics, corticosteroids, or botulism toxin or dry needling. The etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of previous termmyofascialnext term trigger points are addressed in this article.

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