Trigger Points
Trigger points, we will all have ever heard this term, also known as “trigger points” and slang like “I have a ball here” … ball, lump, its tendon are other popular denominacionnes, but really are trigger points?
There is a book, the “Treaty of Travell and Simons’ that speaks extensively on these points, types, location, referred pain, treatment, symptoms. This book located in each muscle area or areas designed to introduce triggers points.
These knots of contraction are microscopic formations that correspond to sites of spontaneous electrical activity in the area of the endplate; resulting (among other things) a-nervous vascular dysfunction is also maintained by the contraction caused.
Characteristics of the trigger points
* Pain or pressure limited spontaneous digital in an area of nodular consistency.
* The painful nodule is palpable in a taut band of muscle fibers (this is why it is commonly said that “I have a tendon here …”).
* The patient can recognize as familiar with the pain evoked by pressure on the trigger point can refer pain to distant areas in a pattern characteristic of each muscle.
* Local Response jerking or twitching spasmodically by finger pressure or needle penetration of the trigger point.
* Painful limitation of movement.
* Some degree of weakness in the affected muscle.
* Hypersensitivity in remote areas.
* Regional autonomic phenomena and disorders of proprioception.
Trigger points both symptomatic and latent, can cause many symptomatology due to referred pain. Symptoms can give away in muscles and other structures like the eye, ear, throat, teeth and molars, thoracic viscera, abdominal or pelvic, joints, bones and tendons. And in many cases is needed specific tratamientio these points to completely eliminate the pain.
The only way to establish the diagnosis of trigger point is based on the life history and examination manual / digital musculature. There is no study to detect. The pain associated with trigger points has little or no response to analgesics, anti-inflammatories, opioids, sedatives, muscle relaxants and antidepressants.
How can we avoid
with the recommendations of a lifetime but impractical: trying to be more relaxed, ie not stressed. Maintain correct posture as the bad posture helps maintain the appearance of these points sobresolicitación overstretching of muscles and others. Stretch at least gently every day. Maintain an active, make at least mild exercise. And listen to our body and begin to solve the mild discomfort before it’s too late.