Trigger Point Release

Trigger point release can address these chronic irritations that cause muscle stiffness or pain.

About Trigger Point Release

That muscle spasm or tightness that you experience may be a consequence of an underlying ligament injury. Trigger point release can address these chronic irritations that cause pain at night, especially as you sleep on your back or hip. If however, these trigger points continue to come back, you may need further evaluation and treatment by some of the options that Dr. Jennifer Stebbing DO, founder of Musculoskeletal & Sports Medicine can help determine. Located in Camas, Washington, Dr. Stebbing specializes in osteopathic manipulation and comprehensive treatment for recurring injuries. To have your muscle stiffness or pain addressed, call the office today, or book an appointment online.

What is Myofascial Pain syndrome?

Myofascial pain syndromes was coined by Dr Janet Travell and Dr David Simons who identified muscle spasms and documented their referral patterns in their reference textbook, “Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction. The Trigger Point Manual”, which continues to be a guiding source of information. Trigger points resulting from muscular injury and/or overuse – can cause extreme pain and/or dysfunction.

How do trigger points develop?

When a muscle is fatigued and overworked, overloaded, or receives a direct blow, a localized contraction of the smallest muscle unit occurs, interfering with blood supply to the area. In addition to injury and overuse, trigger points can be the result of ill-fitting shoes, postural abnormalities, ligament injuries, dehydration, and joint hypermobiility issues. Once treated, trigger points should not come back again. If they do, this suggests their cause needs to be addressed.

How are they diagnosed?

Trigger point pain can be reproduced with direct compression or stretching of the muscles, which reproduces the pain or causes a referral of pain.

How are they treated?

Dr Stebbing treats trigger points with osteopathic manipulation directly to the area, acupuncture dry needling and in some cases with an injection of local anesthetic. Steroid injections are not recommended, as the steroid may weaken the tissue and worsen the pain long term.

What happens if they are not treated?

Trigger points cause a shortening of a muscle unit, which causes the force around a joint to be altered. Over time, this abnormal wear pattern can lead to arthritis or other injuries.

What conditions can they treat?

Trigger point treatment can reduce your pain dramatically. They co-exist with other causes of pain and should be
Identified and treated with any joint pain or arthritis

Chronic back pain
“Tailbone pain”
Whiplash injuries
Running athletes (pulled hamstring)
Repetitive motion injuries (throwing athletes, typing, factory workers, laborers)
Some fibromyalgia
Chronic pelvic pain

How long does it take to notice an improvement?

Stiffness occurs for 24 hours after the treatment. The next day, pain from trigger points should be gone. Most patients notice an improvement in their ability to sleep that night. This helps to differentiate between trigger point pain and other causes of pain. To find out if trigger points are a cause of your pain, book an appointment with Dr. Jennifer Stebbing DO by phone or online today.

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Trigger Point Release For Back Pain

When I was suffering from back spasms, Dr Stebbing was recommended to me by a friend as a skilled and compassionate practitioner. I had no idea she would propose sticking long needles in the muscles of my back in very close proximity to my lungs. As I was desperate for relief, I agreed after I was reassured by her through explanation of the procedure using ultrasound to track the needle position. Dr Stebbing has performed Trigger Point Injections on me several times with good results and relief of pain and every single time I arose from the table with lungs intact and still breathing- a testament to her skill! – Amy

Trigger Point Release For Neck Pain

Dr. Stebbing is one of a kind. Having participated in sports growing up and continuing an active life as an adult, I’ve had to visit many sports medicine doctors. None of them have given the same level of thoughtful consideration, care and treatment that Dr. Stebbing has given to me. My only regret is that I didn’t discover her sooner! – Holly

Other Treatments You Might Be Interested In…

Dr. Stebbing offers many non-surgical treatment options. Here are some treatments you might be interested to consider along with trigger point release.