Are Trigger Points Causing You Chronic Back Pain?

There are many treatments for chronic trigger point back pain but the effectiveness of these treatments varies. One of the safest and proven effective methods is by starting chiropractic treatments. Chiropractic treatments address the source of the problem and not just mask the pain with medications.

The term trigger point is all about the place in the body that triggers the pain. Trigger point is a kind of muscle stiffness which resulted from the minute contraction knots developing in the muscle and surrounding tissue areas caused by overworked or injured part of the body. Usually, this happens from car accidents, sports-related injuries, sudden falls or prolonged incorrect posture.

For the chronic back pain, there are generally four muscle groups which are identified to be the trigger points for back pains.

• Gluteus Medius muscle group: This functions for the legs to be raised sideways and for the stabilization of the pelvis when walking. This muscle group is referred for when the buttocks and belt line are in pain.


• IlioPsoas muscle group: This functions for the stabilization of the trunk on the hips, lifting of the thighs and the flexing of the trunk forward. This muscle group is referred for when the low back is in pain.


• QuadratusLumborum muscle group: This functions in helping the spine stabilize and flexing the trunk sideways. This muscle group is referred to when the low back, hip, groin, and gluteal regions are in pain.


• Rectus Abdominis muscle group: This functions when flexing or curling the trunk on the pelvis and stabilizing the trunk during upright movements. This muscle group is referred to when the belt line, areas in stomach region, and mid back are in pain.

When these points are not treated, stress on other connected areas happen and this can change the way we walk or sit, not to mention the pain it is causing.

Treatments For Chronic Trigger Point Pain

One of the most common cures for trigger points is acquired from the services of physical therapist, massage therapist, and chiropractor. But some people cannot always avail their services because of the cost. That is why self-treatment instruments for trigger points are now widely available. However, the quality of both treatment processes varies. For both treatments, they put deep pressure on the points by massaging. Through this way, they help in relaxing the muscle, therefore removing the pain.

Another treatment is the trigger point injection. In this treatment, a small needle is inserted by a health care professional to the points of the back pain. This injection sometimes contains local anesthesia. When the needle is injected, it deactivates the trigger point, therefore, removing the pain. For people who have allergies, a dry needle is used, which means no medication involved.