Trigger Point Therapy

Break through vicious cycles of pain with effective medications, injections, and more.

Trigger Point Therapy

Break through vicious cycles of pain with effective medications, injections, and more.

Trigger Point Therapy in St. Petersburg, FL

Are you wondering about Trigger Point Therapy in St. Petersburg, FL.? Trigger points are areas of muscle spasm or tightness. They occur because of irritation to the nervous system. A vicious cycle develops when nerves become irritated and muscles tighten up. Those tightened muscles can pull on the spine, causing the nerves that come from the spine to become irritated, which then makes the muscles tighten up, and so on.

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Location of Common Trigger Points in St. Petersburg, FL

These are the most common areas for trigger points for neck and shoulder problems:

These are the most common areas for trigger points for headaches:

These are the most common areas for trigger points for low back-related problems:

More Information About Trigger Points

A Trigger Point (TrP) is a hyper irritable spot, a palpable nodule in the taut bands of the skeletal muscles’ fascia. Trigger points develop in the myofascia, mainly in the center of a muscle belly where the motor endplate enters (primary or central TrPs)[5]. Those are palpable nodules within the tight muscle at the size of 2-10 mm and can demonstrate at different places in any skeletal muscle of the body.

We all have TrPs in the body. TrPs can be present in babies and children, but their presence does not necessarily result in the formation of pain syndrome. When it happens, TrPs are directly associated with myofascial pain syndrome*, somatic dysfunction, psychological disturbance, and restricted daily functioning.

Usually, TrPs happen due to:

Aging
Injury sustained by a fall, stress, or birth trauma.
Lack of exercise - commonly in sedentary persons between 27,5-55 years, of which 45% are men[9],
Bad posture - upper and lower crossed pattern, swayback posture, telephone posture, cross-legged sitting
Muscle overuse and respective micro-trauma - weightlifting,
Chronic stress condition - anxiety, depression, psychological stress trauma,
Vitamin deficiencies - vitamin C, D, B; folic acid; iron;
Sleep disturbance,
Joint problems and hypermobility.

Treatment of Trigger Points

Trigger Point Injection (TPI):

This is a procedure of inserting a small needle into the patient’s active TrP. The injection contains a homeopathic anti-inflammatory called Traumeel along with saline. With the injection, the TrP is made inactive and the pain is alleviated. Often, a brief course of treatment will result in sustained relief. Injections are performed by a licensed health care provider and usually take a few minutes. Several sites may be injected in one visit.

Home Therapies to Help Reduce Trigger Points

If possible, everyday-life factors that arouse the emergence of a TrPs must be eliminated or reduced
Posture training and education about postures and lifestyle
Passive stretching and/or Foam Roller stretching, few times a day
Self-massage, a few times a day, and especially Deep Stroking Massage, done rhythmically and in only one direction
Strengthening: initially only isometric and then isotonic exercises

FAQ

WHAT CAUSES A TRIGGER POINT?

Most points occur because of muscle overuse, muscle trauma (injury), or psychological stress. Trigger points often arise from sustained repetitive activities, like lifting heavy objects at work or working on a computer all day. No single factor is responsible for the development of myofascial trigger points.

WHAT DOES A TRIGGER POINT FEEL LIKE?

Trigger points feel like little marbles or knots just under your skin. When pressing on trigger points, many people feel no pain or discomfort. Sometimes, trigger points become very sensitive, and some people feel significant pain in areas where they have trigger points.

DOES EVERYONE HAVE TRIGGER POINTS?

Trigger points develop in the myofascia, mainly in the center of a muscle belly where the motor endplate enters (primary or central TrPs). Those are palpable nodules within the tight muscle at the size of 2-10 mm and can demonstrate at different places in any skeletal muscles of the body. We all have TrPs in the body.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU MASSAGE A TRIGGER POINT?

The objective of trigger point therapy is to release or soften a muscle knot to reduce (or eliminate) the knotting pain and associated pain. This release happens by applying various levels of pressure to muscle knots, and then stretching the affected areas through a complete range of motion.

CAN TRIGGER POINTS GO AWAY ON THEIR OWN?

Trigger points do not go away on their own. If rested or treated they may regress slightly to a state where they stop referring pain unless a therapist presses on them, but they will still be there.

ARE TRIGGER POINTS KNOTS?

Trigger points are places of rigidness in body tissues known more popularly as “knots” or “nodules”. While they are primarily found in muscles (“myofascial” trigger points), these knots can also be found in tendons, fascia, periosteum (bone cover), and ligaments.

HOW DO YOU RELEASE A TRIGGER POINT AT HOME?

Here’s how to self-massage:

Find the tight spots (odds are you won’t have to look too hard).
Use your fingers (or tools like foam rollers and massage balls) to press firmly into the trigger points.
Repeat for three to five minutes, ideally as often as five or six times per day.

WHY DO TRIGGER POINTS HURT SO MUCH?

When muscles are stressed or injured, they often form tender “trigger points” that feel like dense tight knots in the muscle tissue. Pressure on a trigger point causes the muscle fibers to shorten and be painful to the touch. And this can send “referred pain” radiating out to other areas of the body.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN TRIGGER POINTS ARE RELEASED?

Typical manual trigger point release techniques relieve tension by stretching the muscle, and squeezing out the wastes, allowing fresh blood to flush the muscle.

DO TRIGGER POINT INJECTIONS HURT?

You may feel a stinging and burning sensation. Trigger point injection. When the tip of the needle touches the trigger point, you may feel a brief increase in your pain. This pain is a good sign that the medicine is in the correct spot.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRIGGER POINT INJECTIONS?

Trigger point injections can cause various immediate and long-term side effects, including:

pain or temporary numbness around the injection site
discoloration or dimpling of the skin near the injection site
lightheadedness or dizziness
bleeding

DO TRIGGER POINT INJECTIONS WORK IMMEDIATELY?

Some patients will experience immediate relief, however, it usually takes 24 to 72 hours for the effects of the medication to take effect and it may be up to 1 week before the maximum benefits are achieved. Trigger injections target the pain being caused by muscular problems.

ARE TRIGGER POINT INJECTIONS COVERED BY INSURANCE?

Coverage is provided for injections that are medically necessary due to illness or injury and based on symptoms and signs. An injection of a trigger point is considered medically necessary when it is currently causing tenderness and/or weakness, restricting motion, and/or causing referred pain when compressed.

WHAT TYPES OF INSURANCE DO YOU CURRENTLY TAKE FOR YOUR PATIENTS AND WHICH INSURANCE PROVIDERS ARE ACCEPTED?

We accept most insurances . Currently we are in network with :

Medicare (Federal Plan)
Cigna (Medicare Advantage, Open Access Plan, HMO and PPO)
Aetna (Medicare Advantage, HMO and PPO)

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Testimonials

I used to sit or lay down almost all the time, now when I wake up I the morning my back is a little achy but goes away within ½ hour. I feel great most all day. I am so much improved I haven’t even used a walker for about a month. I am so grateful for this treatment, I can’t find the words to thank you. Considering my age (80) I feel great!!

Though I was nervous about my procedure, management and staff brought a lighter image my way that made my time at Water's Edge remarkable. Nurse Judy is AMAZING! God Bless you all.

I have enjoyed my experience with Waters edge medical, they are taking a personal interest in me and helping me get through my neuropathy issue. I still have a ways to go but I’m sure and have confidence they will continue to help me.

Great help for my neuropathy. Very compassionate and caring staff.

I love this office. The staff are so warm and empathetic. I received help with my muscle spasms and inflammation. Would return to the office for treatment if needed. I highly recommend this office and treatments.