Trigger points are hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers.
These palpable nodules are the result of small contraction knots in muscle tissue. They are an extremely common cause of pain and are frequently misdiagnosed as some other problem, which often leads to a great deal of anguish for the patient.
Several common painful conditions are often relieved by trigger point therapy. Examples are: carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, tendinitis, angina pectoris, sciatic symptoms, along with many other painful problems.
Treatment of trigger points may be by local compression, injection of a local anesthetic such as procaine hydrocloride (novocain), "spray-and-stretch" using a cooling (vapo-coolant) spray, or by superficial dry needling. Many acupuncture practitioners do the superficial dry needling which is often considered the most effective and has the least side effects.
