MYOFASCIAL TRIGGER POINT

Myofascial Trigger Point

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Discussion3

Physical characteristics & Results4

The causes of myofascial pain6

The mechanical causes are:6

Possible medical causes:6

Symptoms & Treatment7

References……………………………………………………………………………………….. 9

Introduction

Dry needling of trigger points is an invasive procedure in which an acupuncture needle is inserted into the muscle through the skin. The needle is directed at myofascial trigger point (MTRP) which is defined as a point hyperirritable located in skeletal muscle that is associated with a hypersensitive nodule localized tenderness in a taut band. From a technical point of view, a myofascial trigger point is a lump hyperirritable within a taut band formed palpable skeletal muscle fibers, it is painful on compression and can evoke characteristic referred pain (trigger point each has a specific pattern) motor dysfunction (muscle weakness and decreased exercise tolerance) and autonomic phenomena (abnormal sweating, salivation, tearing etc.), as well as proprioceptive disorders including imbalance, dizziness, tinnitus, impaired perception to lift objects. This essay is designed to provide an overview of the medical condition known as myofascial pain which is caused by hyper-irritable points called "trigger points" that develop into skeletal muscle or its fascia landscapes. 

Discussion

Despite the fact that an estimated 44 million Americans struggle with this condition (Bennett, 2007), one could say that the myofascial pain is a disease most guarded secret in modern medicine. We know very little about this disease in the medical community which makes it difficult for medical professionals to distinguish it from other forms of soft tissue rheumatism (e.g. bursitis, tendinitis, fibromyalgia syndromes 'bypermobilités, etc.) or understand how it can undermine other diseases. It is also very unfortunate that the skills training in manual palpation and practice experience required to properly diagnose myofascial pain are simply not available in many medical schools (Gerwin, 2004).

It is not difficult; however, realize the potential of the devastation caused by myofascial pain once we realize its frequency in the human body. In 1987, Davis Simons, MD, a pioneer in the field of myofascial pain wrote;

“Skeletal muscle is the largest organ of the body. It is almost half the weight of the body. Muscles are the engines of the body. They work with and against the ubiquitous source of gravity. Together with the cartilage, ligaments and intervertebral discs, they serve to the body as shock absorbers. Approximately 500 skeletal muscles of our body are all subject to chronic tension and acute. Each muscle can develop myofascial trigger points and its own temperamental disposition to refer pain.”  (page. 74)

Physical characteristics & Results

From a muscle that plays host to trigger points has resulted in a significant number of physical results (Mense and Simons, 2001). For example, a limit of movement in the muscle that is caused by pain. Loss of strength and endurance are also possible. During a clinical examination, the real trigger point can be recognized as a sensitive point localized happens as a nodule or group of muscles taut fibrous. These changes may be caused by a massive increase in neurotransmitters acetylcholine (Mense and Simons, 2001).

Mense and Simons (2001) noted that "in a gently rubbing around the sides of the muscle fiber direction of the surface of the muscle, the ...