Trigger Point Injection Therapy

Trigger points are areas that can be palpated as tight nodules in muscle tissue, are usually tender with pressure and often refer pain into distal areas. According to researchers Shah & Gilliams, " trigger points form from excessive release of acetylcholine which produces sustained depolarization of muscle fibers. ...the trigger point has an abnormal biochemical composition with elevated concentrations of acetylcholine, noradrenaline and serotonin and a lower pH." And Travell and Simons explain, that "these sustained contractions of muscle sarcomeres compress local blood supply restricting the energy needs of the local region. This crisis of energy produces sensitizing substances that interact with some nociceptive (pain) nerves traversing in the local region which in turn can produce localized pain within the muscle at the neuro-muscular junction."

Injection therapy involves injecting a combination of saline and homeopathic remedies into these painful trigger points in order to release them. Acupuncture needling on its own will soften trigger points and increase blood flow into the restricted are. Injecting a homeopathic solution has the added effect of flushing out the tissue and normalizing local pH levels. This technique can shorten the course of treatment and speed up recovery of the affected muscle tissue.