Active Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy

[violablue]

i would agree with a colleague that has posted about the waste of time on so calles "trigger point" therapy...I would add that it may be harmfull sometimes, not just waste of time....As primary clinicians (which means we are interfering in diagnostic processes,not just treat) we should ask ourselves where the trigger points are coming from....There is a huge literature which supports that the mechanisms of REFERRED PAIN from a variety of tissues (somatic,neural, even visceral!) can generate trigger points in a quite bizzare fashion. If a therapist starts treating a area of hypertonicity (aka trigger point) he doesnt know if the pain is local or referred.....For example, cardiac (visceral) pain generates trigger points in pectoralis major or left shoulder, discogenic pain generates trigger points in quadratum lumborum or erector spinae or even more serious an underlying systemic disease can generate "innocent" trigger points manifesting as a PRIMARY musculoskeletal condition..It becoming clear that in the above situations (and many more examples ) we will treat just a CLINICAL SIGN (not even symptom!) of a primary condition...We cannot identify the true SOURCE of the problem....
Forgot to mention that even those who thinks that trigger points are effective treatment modality maybe should start reviewing their patients more in the LONG-TERM for potential benefits, which i really doubt...Any SHORT-TERM benefits may induced just by the benign NATURAL COURSE of many musculoskeletal dysfunctions...Only through exercises and self-mobilisations we can achieve guaranteed results!

Mmm...waste of time? Can't find true source? We're taught to assess, evaluate, and diagnose. Set up a prognosis and plan. Then treat. Always reassessing and revising as needed. The trigger point information is so rich and helpful, why just write it off with a swish of the arm? Why can't it work in conjunction with mobilizations and exercises?

After all, if you are stretching a muscle are you not working at bringing it to a non-restricted length? Trigger point release does the same thing for a muscle. So why paint the whole therapeutic method over with such a negative brush stroke?

I think we are taught enough about referral patterns to be able to have some idea of things without feeling we are pellmell bent on destruction-by-trigger-point of say a heart patient.