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Trigger points: diagnosis and management.

David J Alvarez¹, Pamela G Rockwell

¹Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, USA. dalvarez@umich.edu

American Family Physician

|March 2, 2002

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

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Trigger points are sensitive spots in muscles causing pain and stiffness. Trigger point injections offer effective relief for these common musculoskeletal issues.

Area of Science:

Musculoskeletal medicine
Pain management
Physical therapy

Background:

Trigger points are hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle bands.
They cause local and referred pain, often linked to chronic musculoskeletal disorders.
Muscle fiber stress from trauma or overuse can lead to trigger point formation.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the nature of trigger points.
To discuss their clinical manifestations and diagnostic findings.
To evaluate treatment modalities for trigger point inactivation.

Main Methods:

Literature review of trigger point research.
Description of diagnostic palpation techniques.
Overview of treatment options including Spray and Stretch, ultrasonography, manual therapy, and injections.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

Trigger points present as palpable nodules eliciting pain and local twitch responses upon palpation.
Common symptoms include regional pain, decreased range of motion, tension headaches, and low back pain.
Trigger point injection is highlighted as a highly effective treatment.

Conclusions:

Trigger points are a significant factor in musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.
Accurate diagnosis relies on characteristic physical findings.
Trigger point injection provides rapid symptom relief and is a leading treatment modality.