Trigger Points

Trigger Points and Back Pain

Have you ever experienced a small but persistent pain in your neck or back? You might have referred to this as a “knot.” Surprisingly, you weren’t very far off what it actually is. These knots that you are experiencing are referred to as trigger points by back specialists, which mean small knots or injuries within your muscle groups that are causing you pain. Though you may try to rub them out yourself, these tiny injuries can grow to be a much bigger problem, causing headaches or even further damage to other muscles and tendons trying to support them.

Trigger points are hyperirritable spots that tend to flare up when you overuse certain muscles, accidentally cause a strain, or overextend yourself during your daily routine or while working out. These painful spots can then radiate out to the rest of the muscle group, causing soreness and aches. Practitioners of trigger point therapy, much like reflexologists, have mapped and pinpointed these specific points on the body, and claim that by stimulation of these specific points, it is easier to relax the muscle groups.

Along with other non-surgical and alternative therapies, trigger point therapy can be extremely helpful in dealing with chronic muscle pain symptoms. When used as part of a 360-degree holistic therapy plan, many patients have felt relief from their pain symptoms and enjoyed a new sense of mobility. One of the ways you can investigate therapies such as this is to visit a back pain specialist that offers multiple therapeutic sessions under one roof, such as Integrated Spine & Sports. By working with the specialists, you can tailor a unique plan to help with your back and spinal problems.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myofascial_trigger_point

Our approach to treating back pain

By visiting a back pain specialist clinic such as Integrated Spine & Sports, the professionals there can help individually tailor a program to help both manage your symptoms and work on your recovery.

We offer non-surgical options for the treatment of injuries and medical conditions affecting the back, with an integrative approach that may include:

Back Pain Specialists

Our back pain specialists in Manhattan create custom treatments designed to meet the needs of people suffering from acute pain due to injury, as well as those experiencing chronic conditions affecting the muscles, discs, soft tissue and nerves within the back, cervical spine, and neck.

Our integrative team, consisting of a board-certified physiatrist, chiropractors, and physical therapists, offers comprehensive treatment for acute and chronic back pain treatment in NYC.

Back Pain FAQs

Does Coronavirus (COVID-19) cause back pain?2022-09-22T13:58:32+00:00

Some of the common symptoms of COVID-19 are “aches and pains”. Some patients do experience back pain, especially in the lower back. In some cases, the pain is subtle but constant. In others, it is an intense, pulsating pain, which can radiate down to the legs. If the back pain persists, consult your doctor.

How should I sleep with back pain?2022-09-22T13:58:38+00:00

Generally, the best position to sleep is on your back. Sleeping on one’s back ensures that the spine is in a neutral position, which can help with back pain. You can also put a pillow under your knees, legs, and/or lower back to support the natural curve of the spine. This can minimize lumbar pressure and relieve back pain.

What can I do to relieve my back pain?2022-09-22T13:58:54+00:00

If doing gentle back stretches doesn’t do the trick, then try strengthening your core so your spine isn’t struggling to stay upright. Heat therapy and cold therapy can also work well for pain relief. If your back pain is a result of poor posture or a bad workstation setup, make the necessary changes to avoid back pain in the future.

How do I know if my back pain is serious?2022-09-22T13:59:00+00:00

Your back pain is likely serious if it occurs with any of the following symptoms: numbness in lower body, loss of bladder/bowel control, fever, unexplained weight loss, swelling. In such cases, please consult a physiatrist immediately.

How long does back pain last?2022-09-22T13:59:06+00:00

Short-term (or acute) back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks. This is often the case with back pain, and patients usually recover without medical treatment. Sometimes, it lasts for 12 weeks or longer. This is called chronic back pain, and it can take a while to go away. Medical treatment often helps relieve chronic backpain, so we recommend consulting a physiatrist.

Does acupuncture cure lower back pain?2022-09-22T13:59:18+00:00

Acupuncture provides short-term relief for chronic back pain. Back pain is actually the number 1 reported reason people seek acupuncture. By stimulating the various acupuncture points associated with back pain, parts of the nervous system are also stimulated, which can help provide pain relief.

We provide our patients with an integrated and holistic team approach to getting better.

We provide our patients with an integrated and holistic team approach to getting better.

Conditions Treated

We treat individuals suffering from a variety of acute injuries as well as chronic conditions.

Services & Treatments

Our focus is on promoting healing, restoring function and alleviating pain for patients.

Book an Appointment

We offer two convenient locations for patients: the Upper West Side or Madison Avenue.

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