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DARROW
 WELLNESS INSTITUTE

Los Angeles specialists for chronic joint and back pain, ligament and tendon injury CALL US (1-800-734-2210
Darrow Wellness Institute

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TRIGGER POINTS
A normal healthy body contains an intricate framework of bones and cartilage supported in perfect harmony by a network of semi-elastic tissues, mainly tendons and ligaments. Dysfunction in these tissues causes a wide variety of problems.

When the tendons or ligaments, which anchor the structure, are weakened or damaged, the stress and friction created by the misalignment of joints results in chronic pain. Similar stresses can be caused by the action of dysfunctional muscles, tendons, or ligaments containing problem areas known as "trigger points" or "tender points"_ hyperirritable, painful soft tissue areas. Normal healthy soft tissue does not contain trigger or tender points.

The source of muscle pain is called the active trigger point. In some cases, the pain occurs directly in the active trigger point that caused it. This is called a primary trigger point. Pain can also manifest in distant areas away from the active trigger point. Such pain is called referred pain. Cases of referred pain may involve either secondary or satellite trigger points.

A secondary trigger point is a hyperirritable spot in a muscle or fascia that became active because the muscle (in which it manifests) has an antagonistic or a synergistic relationship with the muscle actually triggering the pain. That is, it works with, or against, the muscle which hosts the primary trigger point. A satellite trigger point is simply one that receives pain because it is located in a zone of reference linked directly to the active trigger point, an area known as the essential pain zone. There are also areas known as spillover pain zones that receive pain signals that spill out beyond the normal boundaries of the essential pain zone where it originates.

Besides the pain caused by active trigger points, there are symptoms other than pain that are caused by latent trigger points. Some common latent symptoms include weakness, stiffness or restriction of movement. Both active and latent trigger points cause dysfunction--but only active ones cause pain.

Myofasciitis is a general term used to describe pain or other dysfunctions in the network of muscles, tendons, and ligaments and other soft connective tissue that holds our bodies together. Myofascial pain may start abruptly or gradually. Abrupt onset is usually the result of trauma to the muscle, such as a sudden overload or over-extension, while a gradual onset is due to chronic overload, virus, or other disease, or psychogenic stress.

Although an understanding of the various symptoms of pain, such as whether it occurs at rest or during activity, what muscles it is related to, whether it is primary or referred, and countless other factors, the doctor can isolate the problem and treat it with trigger point therapy or with Prolotherapy.

Prolotherapy and trigger point therapy are essentially the same technique. Both Prolotherapy and trigger point injections can reduce or eliminate pain and result in the growth of new cells to support weakened ligaments and tendons.

Although generally safe and effective, there are cases where trigger point injection therapy just will not do the trick. Some of the more common reasons include cases involving stress due to psychological factors, chronic infection, skeletal asymmetry, nutritional deficiencies, metabolic problems, allergy, or disease. In many cases involving skeletal misalignment, or myofascial pain Prolotherapy may offer the only effective cure.

►Back Pain
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►Side Effects of
   Prolotherapy

 A Multi-Disciplinary Clinic For Professional and Amateur Athletes and Chronic Pain Sufferers
11645 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 120 Los Angeles, CA (310) 231-7000

Patient's stories herein, and the language used, is intended to inform and educate. HOWEVER, it does not imply that you or anyone else will receive the same outcome.

Prolotherapy and other modalities mentioned are medical techniques that may not be considered mainstream. As with any medical procedure, results will vary among individuals, and there could be pain or substantial risks involved. These concerns should be discussed with your health care provider prior to any treatment so that you have proper informed consent and understand that there are no guarantees to healing.

Neither Dr. Darrow, nor any associate of DARROW WELLNESS INSTITUTE offer medical advice on this website. This information is offered for educational purposes only. Do not act or rely upon our information without seeking independent professional medical advice. The transmission of this information does not create a physician-patient relationship between you and Dr. Darrow or any associate of DARROW WELLNESS INSTITUTE. Neither Dr. Darrow, nor any associate of DARROW WELLNESS INSTITUTE guarantees the accuracy, completeness, usefulness, or adequacy of any resources, information, apparatus, product, or process available at or from this transmission. The photos in this Web site feature models for illustrative purposes and do not depict real patients.

 DARROW WELLNESS INSTITUTE, INC  IS HIPAA COMPLIANT. HIPPA IS SHORT FOR THE HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT. HIPAA PROTECTS PATIENTS' PRIVACY & PERSONAL HEALTHCARE INFORMATION.