Causes

It is caused by a pinched nerve or nerves within the neck and/or spine or in the area off the spine. 

The pinching of the nerves is a condition known as a Subluxation. A subluxation is a minor misalignment of the spine (vertebrae) causing irritation to a nerve with a loss of normal function; the interruption of communication from the brain to any cell tissue or organ in the body. 

In the case of a trigger point, it affects the nerves that go to the muscle. The pinched nerve is caused by stress that has built up in the area.

But a trigger point is more than a tender nodule. It affects not only the muscle where the trigger point is located, but also causes "referred pain" in tissues supplied by nerves. This could mean the immediate area around the trigger point, or it could also mean the organ or gland associated with the same nerves being affected.

Trigger points are located in a taut band of muscles fibers. The trigger point is the most tender point in the band.

What You Should Know About Trigger Point Therapy

It is used to treat painful trigger points that cause referred pain.

It took a while to get the muscle in that condition, and it will likely take more than one treatment to get rid of it.

These points are often areas of chronic "holding" and you need to learn how to move in different ways to keep them from recurring. 

Addressing the reason for "holding" by treating the underlying emotion associated with the stress is important.

It may be uncomfortable for a brief period before the trigger point is relieved.

The Medical Perspective

Trigger Point Injection for Pain Management

Trigger point injection (TPI) may be an option for treating pain in some patients. TPI is a procedure used to treat painful areas of muscle that contain trigger points, or knots of muscle that form when muscles do not relax. Many times, such knots can be felt under the skin. Trigger points may irritate the nerves around them and cause referred pain, or pain that is felt in another part of the body.

What Happens During a Trigger Point Injection?

In the TPI procedure, a health care professional inserts a small needle into the patient's trigger point. The injection contains a local anesthetic or saline, and may include a corticosteroid. With the injection, the trigger point is made inactive and the pain is alleviated. Usually, a brief course of treatment will result in sustained relief. Injections are given in a doctor's office and usually take just a few minutes. Several sites may be injected in one visit. If a patient has an allergy to a certain drug, a dry-needle technique (involving no medications) can be used.

Medicines Two Choices for You

THE ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVE

Dr. Huntoon has several techniques he uses to address Torticollis. Using P-DTR has been the most effective in eliminating this condition. Addressing the underlying imbalances within a person's system is important and we use a holistic approach in solving this condition once and for all.

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to trigger points, back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, sciatica and headaches.

Doctors of Chiropractic – often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians – practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.

The most common therapeutic procedure performed by doctors of chiropractic is known as “spinal manipulation,” also called “chiropractic adjustment.”  The purpose of manipulation is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile – or restricted in their movement – as a result of

• a tissue injury,
• emotional trauma or
• toxicity due to environmental exposure.

Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for the sufferer.

Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, and allowing tissues to heal. It also helps to improve and restore normal communication to the organs or glands that affect the normal function of the muscles and tissues. 

Many have also had success by seeing an acupuncture specialist, a Homeopath or a Naturopath.

YOUR SOLUTION

Dr. Huntoon has several techniques he uses to address Torticollis. Using P-DTR has been the most effective in eliminating this condition. Addressing the underlying imbalances within a person's system is important and we use a holistic approach in solving this condition once and for all.

Working with a Holistic Chiropractor who specializes in these conditions is important. Developing a well-rounded, multifaceted approach to restoring balance to your body and eliminating the underlying cause of your pain is important. Discussing the time frame and commitment level with your doctor is prudent before beginning a treatment plan.

The Chiropractor will locate and deactivate them using finger pressure. One technique may be to pick up the muscle fibers in a pincer grip. To assist the trigger point's resolution, chiropractic manipulation is necessary.