Tackling Trigger Points in Your Traps

Tackling Trapezius Trigger Points: A Guide to Relief

The trapezius muscle, spanning the neck, shoulders, and back, is critical in various movements and postures. Unfortunately, it is also a common site for trigger points—hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that cause pain, tenderness, and tension. Understanding these trigger points and how to manage them can significantly improve comfort and functionality.

What are Trigger Points?

Trigger points in the trapezius muscle are knots that form when muscles do not relax. These knots can be painful and when pressed, may cause pain to radiate to other parts of the body. Commonly, trigger points in the upper trapezius may contribute to tension headaches and neck pain.

Symptoms Associated with Trapezius Trigger Points

Trigger points in the trapezius muscle can cause:

• Persistent neck and shoulder pain

• Headaches, especially those felt at the base of the skull

• Limited range of motion in the neck and shoulders

• A sensation of burning or stiffness in the affected areas

Causes of Trapezius Trigger Points

Various factors contribute to the development of trigger points in the trapezius muscle, including:

• Poor posture, especially when sitting for extended periods

• Emotional stress, which can lead to tension in the shoulders and neck

• Overuse of the muscle, such as carrying heavy bags or repetitive shoulder movements

• Direct injury to the area, like a blow or strain

Chiropractic Techniques for Managing Trigger Points

Chiropractic care offers effective methods for managing and alleviating the discomfort caused by trapezius trigger points:

1. Manual Pressure and Massage: Applying direct pressure to the trigger points can help release the knot and ease the associated pain. Chiropractors often use specific massage techniques designed for deep tissue manipulation to target these areas effectively.

2. Therapeutic Exercises: Strengthening and stretching exercises can improve flexibility and reduce the likelihood of further trigger point formation. Chiropractors typically guide patients through exercises tailored to relieve tension in the trapezius muscle.

3. Posture Correction: Educating patients on proper posture and ergonomics is crucial, particularly for those who work in sedentary occupations. Chiropractors can provide practical tips on maintaining good posture to prevent the recurrence of trigger points.

4. Heat Therapy: Applying heat can help relax the trapezius muscle, reducing the severity of trigger points. This method is often used in conjunction with other therapies for comprehensive care.

Trigger points in the trapezius muscle can be frustrating, but with the right approach, they are manageable. Chiropractic care, combined with proper self-care and ergonomic practices, can offer significant relief and help prevent future issues.

Understanding and Managing Spinal Arthritis-Induced Neck Pain

The Silent Culprit: Spinal Arthritis and Neck Pain

In the charming communities of Newmarket, Aurora, King, Keswick, Georgina, and East Gwillimbury, residents lead active lifestyles that, unfortunately, come with a side of neck pain. At Queen Street Chiropractic, Dr. Adam Markew encounters numerous cases where the root cause of this discomfort is spinal arthritis, a condition not as widely discussed as it should be.

What is Spinal Arthritis?

Spinal arthritis, medically termed as cervical spondylosis, occurs when the cartilage and bones of the neck or cervical spine degenerate. It's a condition often synonymous with age, but lifestyle factors and genetics can play significant roles.

Symptoms: More Than Just a Pain in the Neck

Apart from the obvious neck pain, symptoms of spinal arthritis may include stiffness, headaches, and a grinding sensation during movement. In advanced cases, it can affect nerve pathways, leading to tingling or numbness in arms and even coordination issues.

Diagnosis: The First Step Towards Relief

Dr. Markew emphasizes that a thorough assessment, including physical examination and x-ray imaging tests, is crucial for a conclusive diagnosis. These insights allow for a tailored treatment plan that addresses both symptoms and underlying causes.

Chiropractic Care: A Non-Invasive Approach

Chiropractic adjustments are at the heart of managing spinal arthritis. By restoring proper alignment and movement, these adjustments can reduce pain and improve function. Dr. Markew’s expertise ensures that each session is both comfortable and effective.

Lifestyle Adjustments: A Synergistic Effect

In conjunction with chiropractic care, lifestyle changes can augment relief. Regular exercise, good posture, and ergonomic workspaces can all contribute to mitigating the effects of spinal arthritis.

Advanced Techniques for Lasting Relief

At Queen Street Chiropractic, we also incorporate advanced modalities like spinal decompression and cold laser therapy, which have shown promise in managing arthritis-related symptoms.

Prevention: Staying Ahead of Pain

Preventative strategies are integral to Dr. Markew’s philosophy. Educating patients on maintaining neck health and preventing strain is a staple of our approach to care.

Conclusion: Your Partner in Neck Health

If neck pain has been your unwelcome companion, understanding spinal arthritis is the first step to relief. Dr. Adam Markew and Queen Street Chiropractic are committed to helping you live a life free of pain.

Symptoms - the tip of the iceberg

Thank goodness for symptoms!

If you didn’t have symptoms you wouldn’t know if you were sick or injured.

Symptoms are like essentially your body’s fire alarm, they go off when something is wrong.

If the fire alarm goes off in your home it is because it detects smoke, alerting you to take action.

Symptoms such as headaches, low back pain and shoulder tightness are your body’s alarm signal when it detects change, like injured tissue, inflammation and more.

If you listen to the symptoms usually you can put the fire out pretty quickly.

All too often however, you don’t get to the root cause of your symptoms, and we take minor actions to suppress the symptoms so you can make it through your day easier.

This is the equivalent of the fire alarm going off in your house and to solve the problem you take the batteries out so the alarm stops.

CRAZY RIGHT?!!

You would never do this to your home without looking for the cause of the smoke, yet people do it to themselves all the time.

Next time you have new symptoms, dig a bit deeper to find out what the root of the problem is rather than “removing the batteries” just to feel better.