If you’ve ever experienced a deep, nagging muscle ache that seems to never go away especially when pressed you may be dealing with a trigger point. These tiny knots in your muscle tissue can cause pain, restrict movement, and even refer discomfort to other areas of your body. For many patients struggling with chronic muscular tension, one question often comes up:
Do chiropractors treat trigger points?
The answer is yes and not only can chiropractors treat them, but they often do so using a combination of techniques like spinal adjustments, manual therapy, dry needling, and more.
Let’s break it down.
What Are Trigger Points?
Trigger points are small, tight areas within muscle tissue that form due to stress, strain, or overuse. They feel like knots or tender spots in the muscle, and when pressed, they may radiate pain to other areas of the body, a phenomenon known as referred pain.
Common causes of trigger points include:
- Poor posture
- Repetitive motion or overuse
- Emotional stress
- Past injuries or trauma
- Lack of proper stretching or mobility
Trigger points can occur anywhere in the body but are especially common in the:
- Neck and shoulders
- Upper and lower back
- Hips and thighs
Over time, untreated trigger points can lead to reduced flexibility, chronic pain, and muscle imbalances which is why addressing them early is so important.
How Does a Chiropractic Adjustment Help Trigger Points?
Chiropractic care focuses on correcting misalignments in the spine and joints to improve nervous system function and muscular balance. But how does this relate to trigger points?
Here’s how an adjustment helps:
- Restores proper joint motion: Misalignments in the spine (subluxations) can cause certain muscles to overwork, leading to trigger point formation. Chiropractic adjustments correct this imbalance.
- Relieves tension: By improving spinal alignment, muscle tension is reduced, making it easier for trigger points to release naturally.
- Improves blood flow: Proper joint function promotes better circulation, which helps deliver nutrients to tight, inflamed muscles.
- Reduces nerve irritation: When nerves are compressed due to spinal misalignment, surrounding muscles may tighten as a protective response. Adjustments remove this stress, allowing muscles to relax.
While adjustments don’t directly “break up” a trigger point, they create the right conditions for lasting muscle release when combined with other therapies.
Is Massage Therapy Good for Trigger Points?
Yes. Massage therapy is one of the most effective ways to directly treat trigger points. Specific massage techniques like:
- Trigger point therapy
- Deep tissue massage
- Myofascial release
can help break up the tight knot, improve blood flow, and reduce inflammation.
Many chiropractic clinics work with licensed massage therapists or integrate massage into your care plan. This combination of spinal adjustments + muscle therapy often results in faster, longer-lasting relief.
Is Dry Needling Good for Trigger Points?
Absolutely. Dry needling is a powerful method for releasing trigger points, especially those that are deeply embedded and resistant to manual pressure.
In dry needling, a thin filament needle is inserted into the trigger point, causing a brief muscle twitch that helps the muscle “reset” and release tension. This:
- Increases circulation
- Reduces pain and spasm
- Improves flexibility
Many chiropractors are certified in dry needling and use it alongside adjustments and other therapies to treat complex muscle pain conditions.
It’s important to note that dry needling is different from acupuncture. While both use needles, dry needling is focused on muscle physiology and is based on Western medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can a chiropractor diagnose trigger points?
Yes. Chiropractors are trained to assess muscular issues and can identify trigger points during a physical exam by feeling for tender, tight areas in the muscle.
2. Are trigger points the same as muscle spasms?
Not exactly. A muscle spasm is a sudden, involuntary contraction, while a trigger point is a localized knot that can cause referred pain and chronic discomfort.
3. How many sessions does it take to treat a trigger point?
It depends on the severity and cause. Some patients experience relief after one or two sessions, while others may need several visits combining adjustments, massage, and/or dry needling.
4. Do I need dry needling for every trigger point?
Not always. Many trigger points respond well to manual therapy and adjustments alone. Dry needling is typically used for stubborn or deeper muscle knots.
5. Is chiropractic care alone enough to get rid of trigger points?
In many cases, chiropractic adjustments relieve the underlying cause of muscle tension. However, combining care with soft tissue therapies (massage, stretching, dry needling) often produces the best results.
Final Thoughts
Trigger points can have a serious impact on your daily life from limited range of motion to radiating pain that disrupts sleep and activity. Chiropractic care offers a holistic, effective solution for identifying and treating these painful knots.
If you’re experiencing stubborn muscle pain or tension, it might be time to explore chiropractic treatment options.
For personalized care, expert diagnosis, and advanced treatment for trigger points, contact our experienced chiropractors in St. Louis, chiropractors in Clayton, or chiropractors in Bridgeton today and take the first step toward long-term relief.