Trigger Point Screening Before Surgery

Myofascial pain caused by trigger points is very common and often mimics more serious conditions.  Because trigger points are relatively easy to diagnose and treat, screening for myofascial pain should be performed before musculo-skeletal surgeries are undertaken.  If the underlying pain is caused by trigger points in muscle tissue, surgery will not eliminate it.  Unfortunately this screening is almost never done.  Travell and Simons make this point using thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) as an example:

... surgeons are frustrated because only about half of operative interventions for TOS are successful.  Some are dramatically succcessful and some are disastrously unsuccessful.  ...Apparently a piece of the puzzle is missing.  The fact that a major contributing cause for the pain and entrapments - myofascial trigger points-- is commonly overlooked contributes to the confusion and frustration (Travell and Simons 1999: V.1:519)].

This page is part of a larger website intended to educate people about trigger point bodywork and other methods of non-invasive, drug-free pain relief.  Myofascial therapy was developed by physicians in the last few decades.  Its primary purpose is to eliminate myofascial pain, but it also improves movement and posture.

I offer myofascial treatment and pain management services for the Hackettstown, Hopatcong, Mount Freedom and Washington area of northern NJ, though I am not immediately nearby. If you live in a town such as Green Village, Mine Hill, Randolph or New Vernon NJ I would still be the closest certified therapist. Mill Brook, Tabor and Victory Gardens NJ also fall into this category, and much of the rest of New Jersey. Somewhat distant towns are mentioned because I have seen many times that people are glad to travel even several hours to get rid of pain. If you live elsewhere you may be able to find a practitioner nearby.

Copyright 2007 Joseph Hoane