Trigger point acupuncture is a specialized technique used to address tight and painful muscles. Here’s how it works: Muscle Soreness and Trigger Points: Our muscles can become tight, stiff, and painful due to various factors such as dehydration, nutrient deficiency, poor posture, repetitive motions, and overuse. When muscles stay tight for extended periods, they develop knots or bands known as trigger points. These trigger points cause muscles to shorten, lose flexibility, strength, and range of motion, leading to impaired functioning. What Are Trigger Points?: Trigger points are tight, painful knots that form in muscles when they don’t contract and relax properly. Imagine a rubber band with a knot tied in the middle—it can no longer stretch and relax as it should. Poor posture often activates trigger points, worsening chronic pain conditions. Trigger points can refer to different areas of the body. For example, quadricep trigger points can be cause of knee pain, trapezius trigger points can cause headaches, (especially in a halo like band around the head) infraspinatus trigger points can cause problems raises the arm overhead. Acupuncture for Trigger Points: Acupuncture is the most effect treatment to release muscle tension caused by trigger points. Acupuncturists identify the tenderest and tightest muscle bands causing discomfort. They insert tiny needles directly into these trigger points, prompting the muscle to contract. This process helps release tension, improve blood flow, and promote healing. Trigger point acupuncture helps improve athletic performance and endurance. Trigger point acupuncture can help reduce the chance of injuries and strain on the joints by keeping the muscles elongated and flexible. History of trigger point acupuncture Janet Travel, John F. Kennedy’s physician, first discovered and studied trigger points in 1942. Marc Seem, Licensed acupuncturist, who I studied with from 2005-2007, developed an Acupuncture system based on trigger points in the 1980’s. Trigger point acupuncture has helped patients live pain free and been practiced in the US for over 44 years.