Trigger Point Therapy in Valley Stream, NY
If you’re dealing with back pain, you understand how it can disrupt your daily life, making it difficult to walk, sit, lift, or even lie down comfortably. While pain medications can offer some relief, they often come with unwanted side effects. Trigger point therapy at our chiropractic office near Valley Stream offers a natural alternative that may help alleviate your discomfort and improve your mobility.
What You Should Know About Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy is a specialized form of massage that targets the source of your pain, known as trigger points. These are the areas where muscle tension and knots develop, often causing referred pain in other parts of the body. For example, if you experience lower back pain due to tightness in your legs, trigger point therapy will focus on relieving tension in your legs to alleviate discomfort in your back.
At Valley Stream Chiropractic, Dr. Green uses targeted massage techniques to address these trigger points. The idea behind trigger point therapy is that waste products build up around nerve clusters, which can irritate nerves and cause pain. Over time, this tension can form bands or nodules that press on soft tissue, leading to widespread discomfort. The massage helps break up these clusters, relieving pressure and improving muscle function.
Benefits of Trigger Point Therapy at Valley Stream Chiropractic
Trigger point therapy can be an effective treatment for muscle pain, including tension and stiffness. It may help with:
- Reducing muscle tension
- Relieving pain
- Alleviating tingling or numbness caused by nerve irritation
- Improving circulation
Conditions Treated with Trigger Point Therapy
Dr. Green may recommend trigger point therapy as a standalone treatment or as part of a comprehensive chiropractic care plan. It can be particularly beneficial for a variety of conditions, including:
- Sciatica
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Sports injuries
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Osteoarthritis
- Migraines and tension headaches
- Shoulder pain (tennis or golfer’s shoulder)
- Post-surgical pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Fibromyalgia
What to Expect During a Trigger Point Therapy Session
Your first session will begin with a detailed medical history review to help Dr. Green assess your current condition and determine if trigger point therapy is appropriate for you. Based on this evaluation, your treatment will be tailored to address your specific needs.
At Valley Stream Chiropractic, you’ll lie on a sterilized treatment table, and your therapist may guide you through breathing exercises to help you relax. Dr. Green will then identify the areas causing your pain and work on the surrounding muscle tissue to stimulate those trigger points.
Although the therapy itself may cause some mild discomfort, most patients experience minimal pain afterward. Keep in mind that multiple sessions may be needed to experience the full benefits of trigger point therapy, as it works to release long-standing tension and muscle tightness.
Safe and Effective Treatment
Trigger point therapy is a safe and effective option for managing back pain and other neuromuscular symptoms. The treatment is customized to meet your individual needs, ensuring you get the most effective relief possible.
If you’re interested in learning more about trigger point therapy or want to schedule an appointment, contact Valley Stream Chiropractic at (516) 791-6421.
How It Can Help
Reducing muscle tension
The massage helps break up clusters of tension, relieving pressure and improving muscle function.
Relieving pain
Trigger point therapy can be an effective treatment for muscle pain, including tension and stiffness.
Tingling or numbness
It may help alleviate tingling or numbness caused by nerve irritation.
Improving circulation
Improving circulation is one of the ways trigger point therapy may help.
Why Pain Is Not Always Where It Seems
Trigger points are small, tight spots in a muscle that can be tender to the touch. One of their most confusing features is referred pain. A trigger point in the shoulder may cause a headache, and tightness in the hip or leg may show up as lower back pain. Because of this, people sometimes treat the area that hurts for weeks without much change, while the real source goes unaddressed. Looking beyond the painful spot to find the source can lead to more effective treatment and longer-lasting relief, especially for pain that has been around for a while.
Trigger points often develop after an injury, from repetitive motion, poor posture or long periods of stress. Over time, they can limit how a muscle stretches and contracts, which may lead to stiffness and weakness. Finding and treating these spots is one way to get at the underlying cause of the pain. Many patients find it helpful, though the research is still developing and results vary. It usually works best when combined with stretching, posture changes and other chiropractic care. Dr. Green will explain how it fits into your overall plan.
What to Expect From Trigger Point Therapy
Your first session begins with a review of your medical history and current symptoms. Dr. Green will ask where you feel pain, how it behaves and what makes it better or worse. Dr. Green will then examine the muscles in and around the painful area, feeling for tight bands and tender spots. Pressing on a trigger point may briefly reproduce the pain you have been feeling, which helps confirm where the problem is. This is a normal part of the assessment. You will have a chance to ask questions before treatment begins.
During treatment, firm pressure is applied to the trigger point and held or worked in small motions until the tension starts to ease. You may be guided through slow breathing to help you relax. It can feel uncomfortable, but you should let your provider know if it becomes too intense. Afterward, the area may feel sore for a day or two. Gentle stretching, staying hydrated and keeping active usually help. Several sessions are often needed for long-standing tension. Your plan will be reviewed as you go and adjusted based on how your muscles respond.
New to the office? Read what to expect at your first visit, or book online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a trigger point?
Trigger points are the areas where muscle tension and knots develop, often causing referred pain in other parts of the body.
Which conditions is it used for?
It can be particularly beneficial for conditions including sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, sports injuries, tinnitus, osteoarthritis, migraines and tension headaches, shoulder pain, post-surgical pain, plantar fasciitis, and fibromyalgia.
Does trigger point therapy hurt?
Although the therapy itself may cause some mild discomfort, most patients experience minimal pain afterward. Multiple sessions may be needed to experience the full benefits.
What can I do at home between sessions?
Gentle stretching of the treated muscles can help keep them from tightening up again. Applying heat may ease soreness, and short movement breaks during long periods of sitting can help too. Some people use a foam roller or massage ball, but ask your provider first so you use it correctly. Pay attention to posture and habits that may have caused the problem.
Is trigger point therapy safe for everyone?
It is generally safe and well tolerated. Extra caution may be needed for people taking blood thinners, those with bleeding disorders, recent injuries or surgery, skin conditions in the area, or during pregnancy. Share your full health history at your first visit so treatment can be adjusted or another option chosen if needed.
Terms You May Hear
- Trigger point
- A tight, tender spot in a muscle that can cause pain in the area or in another part of the body. It may feel like a small knot or band.
- Referred pain
- Pain felt in a different location from its source. Trigger points commonly cause referred pain.
- Myofascial pain
- Pain that comes from muscles and the surrounding connective tissue. Trigger points are a common feature of it.
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