Trigger Point Therapy
in St. George Utah.
Trigger points or muscle “knots” are sore spots in soft tissue that cause deep aching. Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic pain disorder of too many trigger points.
Dr. Hardy has been treating trigger points since 1990 as taught by Dr. Janet Travell, MD
(1901-1997), an American medical doctor and the personal rheumatologist of United States president John F. Kennedy, whom was the first to propose the term myofascial trigger point ” in 1942.
Treatment Approaches:
The most effective treatment approaches that we offer in our office includes the following:
- Spray and Stretch
- Myofascial Release
- Acupuncture / Dry Needling
- Injection of Procaine, Lidocaine and/or Dextrose
In several instances, Dr. Hardy will combine the above treatments to give you the quickest and best results possible.
Trigger Point Classification:
Trigger Points are described in various ways according to location, tenderness and chronicity.
The 5 different types of trigger points are described below:
- Primary (or Central) Trigger Points:
These are the most well-established when they are active, and are usually what people refer to when they talk about trigger points. The primary trigger points always exist in the center of the muscle belly. - Secondary (or Satellite) Trigger Points:
Secondary trigger points may be created as a response to the central trigger point in neighboring muscles that lie within the referred pain zone. - Diffuse Trigger Points:
Trigger points can sometimes occur where multiple secondary trigger points exist secondary to multiple primary trigger points. - Latent (or Inactive) Trigger Points:
This applies to lumps and nodules that feel like trigger points. These can develop anywhere in the body; and are often secondary. However these trigger points are not painful, and do not elicit a referred pain pathway. - Active Trigger Points:
This can apply to primary and secondary trigger points. This trigger point is both tender to palpation and elicits a referred pain pattern.
Trigger Point Symptoms and Referred Pain Patterns:
Pain is a complex symptom experienced differently and individually. However, referred pain is the defining symptom of a myofascial trigger point.
You may be used to the idea of referred pain of a visceral origin; an example of this is heart pain. A heart attack is often not experienced as crushing chest pain, but as pain in the left arm and hand, and in the left jaw.
Referred pain from a myofascial trigger point is somewhat different. It is a distinct and discreet pattern or map of pain.
These images are consistent and stimulating an active trigger point generates either part or all of the entire map of pain.
Patients describe referred pain in these images as having a deep, aching quality; movement may sometimes exacerbate symptoms, making the pain sharper. An example of this might me a headache. The patient often describes a pattern of pain, or ache, which can sometimes be aggravated and made sharper by moving the head and neck.
Testimonials
“Dr. Hardy is extremely skilled and is an acupuncturist I would recommend to anyone who wants to control his/her diseases and/or ailments.
I was frightened that I would not be able to resume my teaching position due to my Fibromyalgia relapsing so extensively. He has helped me in treating Fibromyalgia and controlling it so I can maintain my health and continue teaching.
I am so grateful to Dr. Hardy. He is the ONLY acupuncturist I will trust to treat me. His fees are reasonable and he is not out for the mighty dollar; he is out to help patients improve their health and lifestyles. Give him a try. You will not be disappointed.“
Carol H.
“Dr. Hardy is skilled and knowledge in a wide variety of natural medical practices.
Dr. Hardy helped me with finding an alternative solution to the psychological and spiritual problems I had suppressed with my eating disorder, the total outcome
of my treatment with Dr. Hardy was a balanced and healthier outlook for myself.
I recommend both treatments of stress reduction and acupuncture. The most positive aspect I experienced was RELAXATION which is the first step in healing. The most effective service of Dr. Hardy was his kind heart.“
Kessia Kordelle
“I came to Dr. Hardy for bad joint pain, especially in my knees, very painful. Also fatigue and stress.
He did acupuncture, which helped a lot. I really don’t like needles, but I would choose that instead of pain. Actually, you really don’t feel the pokes; none at all, very minimal. This is definitely a better way of healing and feeling better.
I can walk, dance, climb stairs without any pain now. Thanks to Dr. Hardy, I feel Great.“
Dolores Johnson
About Me
Our philosophy is to serve our patients and our community of all ages with a spirit of total caring, providing the highest quality service to each patient as a unique individual with specific health needs and wants.
Our goal for every person is an increased quality of life and a more fulfilling lifestyle that adds years to someone’s life and life to that person’s years.
We commit ourselves to you in helping you achieve your health goals today, tomorrow, for the rest of your life time and for the generations to come.