Tips on What Causes Trigger Points?

What is a Trigger Point?

You may have heard the term “trigger point” before, but what exactly does it mean? They can be quite a pain, but we may find ourselves walking around for years without ever really knowing these exist in our muscles.  At one of the highest rated auto injury medical care facilities, Chambers Medical Group, we deal with injuries following motor vehicle accidents and trigger points are often found in many areas by almost everyone that has suffered an accident. They are a common source of pain and discomfort for many people, and understanding what they are can help you better manage your symptoms and find relief. Dr. Aaron Workman, a patient favorite at the Lexington Chambers Medical Group location, explains the term “trigger point.”

A trigger point is a tight area within a muscle that causes pain when pressure is applied. These points are often tender to the touch and can radiate pain to other areas of the body, a phenomenon known as referred pain. Trigger points can develop in any muscle in the body but are most found in the neck, shoulders, back, and hips. There are many reasons why these areas develop so let’s start there.

What Causes Trigger Points?

1. Muscle Overuse: Repetitive motions or prolonged periods of muscle contraction can lead to the development of trigger points. This is common in occupations or activities that require repetitive motions, such as typing, lifting heavy objects, or working on different types of manufacturing/shipping lines.
2. Poor Posture: Maintaining poor posture for extended periods can place stress on certain muscles. This is especially common in people who sit at a desk for long periods or frequently engage in activities that require them to hunch over. Looking down at a phone for long hours throughout the day has become a leader in poor posture.
3. Muscle Imbalances: Imbalances in muscle strength or flexibility can cause certain muscles to become overworked, leading to the development of these tender areas. This often occurs when one muscle compensates for the weakness or tightness of another muscle.
4. Trauma or Injury: Acute injuries, such as falls or car accidents, can also lead to the development of trigger points. The trauma to the muscle tissue can cause it to become tense and irritated, and just the slight amount of pressure can cause it to hurt.

What are the Symptoms?

1. Localized pain or tenderness: Depending on your mode of causation, the different areas you hurt can vary drastically but it is typically going to hurt in a pinpoint spot.
2. Referred pain: Each muscle of your body attaches to multiple areas and performs varying functions. If you push on a part of that muscle, it has a set number of different areas it can also affect.  This is how referred pain comes about.  You push on one spot and the muscle hurts in another area.
3. Muscle Weakness: Trigger points will change the structure of a muscle keeping different areas overly tight. This changes the function of those muscles and can weaken them when used.
4. Decreased Range of Motion: Muscles move joints so if a trigger point causes the muscle to be overly tight, the result will also be a decrease in movement. This decrease in movement can in turn cause a worsening of the trigger point.

Trigger points are a common source of pain and discomfort for many people, but an important part of the trigger point is understanding what it is and why it is happening.  If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident and suspect you have trigger points, then Chambers Medical Group can help.  Our services are designed to find different injuries and offer different therapies to address those problems so you can get back to your normal routine.

— This article is written by Aaron Workman, DC, one of the members of Chambers Medical Group’s team of car accident chiropractors who offer a variety of treatments and therapies ranging from diagnostic testing to various soft tissue therapies for car accidents and injuries in Kentucky.

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Have you been in a car accident? If you or somebody you know has been in a car accident, be sure that you seek medical attention from a car accident doctor or car accident chiropractor to treat your injuries. Visit Chambers Medical Group  to receive world-class medical treatment for your injuries.

Chambers Medical Group has car accident medical clinics in the following locations:

• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Tampa
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Plant City
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Brandon
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Lakeland
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Sarasota
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Louisville
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Lexington
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Florence