Trigger point (Trp)

A trigger point(Trp) is a musculoskeletal disorder that involves a hyper-irritable section of skeletal muscle. People afflicted with trigger points experience pain, reduced movement capacity, and swelling. Doctors have not reached a consensus on the specific mechanisms that cause trigger points to develop. However, many medical researchers agree that traumatic injuries, repetitive tasks, and stress increase the likelihood of developing the disorder.

Doctors divide trigger points into two categories: active trigger points and latent trigger points. Active trigger points are painful even when the afflicted muscle is at rest. Latent trigger points cause pain only when pressure is directly applied to the afflicted muscle.

Many trigger points can be treated at home and do not require medical attention. They may be treated through the use of over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, massage, or the application of cold packs. However, doctors may treat severe trigger points with medication, including the use of analgesics, muscle relaxants, and anti-depressants to alleviate symptoms while the disorder heals.

Background

Musculoskeletal disorders are injuries and disorders affecting the muscles, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels, and tendons. Collectively, these body parts make up the musculoskeletal system, which allows the body to move. Because the musculoskeletal system is complex and used regularly, musculoskeletal disorders are common injuries. They are most often associated with workplace or sports-related injuries.

Many factors place people at risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. Poor fitness and poor health practices make people more susceptible to injuries, weakening the body. Similarly, poor work practices, such as failing to follow safety guidelines during strenuous activities, also increase the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders.

Poor workplace design is a major risk factor for of musculoskeletal disorders. Workers in poorly designed workplaces routinely place their bodies in unnatural positions or work themselves beyond safe levels of physical fatigue. Jobs that require workers to perform physically repetitive tasks, such as tightening bolts or bending over, are particularly likely to cause musculoskeletal disorders. To prevent the development of these disorders, workplaces should design their facilities ergonomically. They should also encourage proper rest and recovery during demanding tasks, suggesting fitness and hydration for employees.

Overview

Trigger points are a musculoskeletal disorder characterized by hyper-irritable spots in a tense band of skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscles are those directly connected to the body’s skeleton, forming important parts of the mechanical system that allows the body to move. People who suffer from trigger points commonly experience pain, tenderness, and motor dysfunction when the point is compressed. They may also experience stiffness and reduced mobility in the afflicted muscle.

Trigger points can be divided into two categories: active trigger points and latent trigger points. Active trigger points are painful even when the point is at rest. They are tender to the touch and spread or radiate pain. They may also cause referred pain, meaning that pain is not felt at the exact location of the trigger point and is instead felt at a location related to the trigger point. If radiating pain is felt at the location of the injury, the injury will likely be classified as a tender point instead of a trigger point.

Latent trigger points do not cause pain when the afflicted body part is at rest. Instead, they may restrict the movement of the afflicted area or cause muscle restrictions and weakness. Some latent trigger points do not cause pain even when the afflicted area is used. In these cases, the person suffering from a trigger point may only be made aware of the problem when pressure is directly applied to the point.

Trigger points may be diagnosed by the presence of a localized twitch response. This response involves a visible or palpable contraction of the muscle when it is stimulated in a certain way. In most cases, localized twitch responses are stimulated under controlled conditions by a medical professional. This may involve gently striking the muscles associated with the trigger point or using a needle to create a sudden change of pressure in the afflicted area.

Medical researchers have proposed many theories about the origin of trigger points but do not universally agree on their cause. Some researchers have suggested that unhealthy lifestyles, such as sleep disturbances and poor posture, might predispose people to micro-traumas. Over time, these micro-traumas may increase the risk of developing a trigger point. Other researchers suggest that acute trauma to a muscle, such as an injury, might predispose a muscle to developing a trigger point.

Activities that repeatedly place stress on the same muscles may significantly increase the development of trigger points. These may include demanding activities, such as playing sports that involve using the same motion repeatedly. However, they may also include sitting with poor posture, moving heavy objects, or regularly holding a telephone in an uncomfortable position.

Many home treatments are commonly recommended to alleviate the pain caused by trigger points. These include using cold packs to reduce inflammation around the afflicted muscles, taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, and massaging the trigger point to remove tension. Additionally, doctors commonly recommend that patients avoid activities that cause significant pain while the trigger point heals.

In particularly severe cases, doctors may prescribe medication to treat trigger points. These medications may include muscle relaxants to help reduce tension or analgesics to relieve pain. Doctors may also prescribe neuroleptics or antidepressants to aid in relaxation.

Bibliography

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