Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a trigger point?
How can a muscle refer pain from itself to another area of my body?
How do I know if I need Trigger Point Therapy, Massage, Chiropractic, or a combination?
How long will it take before I begin to notice a change in my symptoms?
Will your office coordinate with my physician if requested?
Q: What exactly is a trigger point?
- A: A trigger point is a focalized area of tightness within the fibers of a muscle and because of how it interacts with the nervous system, refers pain to other parts of the body. Trigger points can make a muscle seem weak and cause a person to perceive pain elsewhere.
Q: How can a muscle refer pain from itself to another area of my body?
- A: It can sometimes be a difficult concept to understand referred pain so let us look at something we all know and understand, heart attacks. Even if a person has never had a heart attack, they most likely know the symptoms which are chest tightness and pain that may extend into the left shoulder and arm. Since the heart is located in the chest it has to make a person wonder how pain could be felt in the left shoulder and arm. The mechanism of referred pain is still not completely understood, but is very characteristic for specific organs and tissues. Just as the heart refers pain to the left shoulder and arm, the trapezius muscle refers pain up the side of the neck and concentrates in the temple as well as the jaw. When organs refer pain, it is called visceral pain. When muscles refer pain it is called musculoskeletal or myofascial pain due to trigger points.
Q: How do I know if I need Trigger Point Therapy, Massage, Chiropractic, or a combination?
- A: In our practice we recommend mild acute (less than 1 month old) flare ups for massage. If a pain is older than 1-3 months we generally recommend trigger point therapy. Chiropractic is then recommended if full range of motion cannot be restored through tissue work. We do find and highly recommend chiropractic care for those undergoing trigger point therapy, whether the chiropractor here on staff or the one you have been seeing for years.
Q: How long will it take before I begin to notice a change in my symptoms?
- A: We believe that the vast majority of muscle problems will clear up, or drastically improve, within 4-6 regularly scheduled visits. Most conditions, treated with trigger point therapy, are scheduled 2 times in the first week, 2 the week after, and then once per week for 2 weeks resulting in 6 visits in a one month time period. Please keep in mind that injuries induced by trauma such as car and work accidents tend to take an extra month to resolve, depending on the extent of the injury, and sometimes a lot less.
Q: My massage therapist does trigger point, but it didn't work for me, so how will this be any different?
- A: Most massage schools do a great job at teaching massage strokes, but tend to lack in teaching their students about the specifics of muscle pain patterns and how to assess for muscle pain conditions. There are, however, massage therapists out there who do not have the credentials we do, but have taken it upon themselves to learn this work through other means and are completely competent.
Q: Will your office coordinate with my physician if requested?
- A: Yes. We will forward any of your notes or even call your doctor upon request. Since we are compliant with the privacy laws (HIPPA) then we will ask you to sign a form to release your records. We also coordinate with your doctor to get you the proper diagnostic tests if we believe there to be another existing pathology which is causing your pain condition.
Q: I was injured in an automobile accident and would like to receive therapy for my injury - will my auto insurance cover the cost of therapy?
- A: Yes. Most auto insurance companies will cover your therapy at 100% and we do all the billing work here so you do not have to deal with it. Please call 724-853-2353 if you have any questions.
Q: I was injured on the job and would like to receive therapy for my injury - will my work comp insurance cover the cost of therapy?
- A: Yes. Most work comp insurances will cover your therapy as long as you have been injured and seeing their panel doctors for at least 90 days. After the 90 day period is up, you are free to go where you like for therapy. Please call 724-853-2353 if you have any questions.
Q: Why does my auto and work comp insurance cover the cost of trigger point therapy, but my medical insurance does not?
- A: These insurances are governed by different laws than other health plans. Essentially, your auto insurance will cover the cost of any religious healing's, such as the laying on of hands, that you may practice.