1/20/2009

Why Are You Working On My Neck When My Thumb Hurts?

The term 'Trigger Point' is thrown around a lot in my office. Most clients are confused as to what exactly one is and is it the same as a knot.

Yes and No.

Yes - They both are pretty much the same physiologically. Get ready for the anatomy lesson; A sarcomere is a microscopic unit of tissue that is part of a muscle fiber that is responsible for contracting. Contraction occurs in a sarcomere when its two layers come together and interlock. Millions of sarcomeres have to contract in order for a particular muscle to move in the slightest. A trigger point and/or knot occurs when sarcomeres are chemically prevented from releasing from their interlocked state. Typically, a muscle works by its sarcomeres acting like tiny pumps, contracting and relaxing to circulate blood and nutrients, as well as getting rid of waste products. When a sarcomere holds their contraction, blood flow halts in the immediate area. The resulting oxygen starvation and accumulation of the waste products of metabolism aggravates the TP/knot and begins a painful cycle of pain and energy crisis in the cells.

This occurs from over use (repetitive motions or strenuous workout), under use (laying on the couch sick for a week), or improper use (poor posture and ergonomics).

No - A knot is merely multiple sarcomeres locked up in the muscle tissue causing acute discomfort. Trigger Points are more complex. Not only is acute discomfort possible, but also referred pain into other areas of the body, tenderness, muscle weakness, motor dysfunction, and autonomic phenomena (sweating, ticklish, ear ringing, burning, numbess, etc.)

As a neuromuscular therapist, I primarily focus on TP's and their tested patterns to facilitate you feeling better. This is why I ask so many questions and require working on multiple muscle groups in order to troubleshoot your complaint.