ACUPUNCTURE, TRIGGER POINTS & PROLOTHERAPY: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES

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ACUPUNCTURE, TRIGGER POINTS & PROLOTHERAPY: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES

by MARC DARROW, M.D.,J.D.

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Acupuncture, although used for at least 5000 years in China, was not well

known or widely accepted as a therapeutic treatment in the Western medical

community, until recently.

 

Acupuncture is based on Eastern philosophical premise that all matter is

permeated with energy--called Chi--which flows in patterns in the body called

meridians. An obstruction of these patterns interferes with basic vitality by

disrupting the energy flow. This is analogous to cholesterol plaques clogging

the precious flow of blood through our circulatory system. The needles used

in acupuncture are inserted into the skin at precisely mapped meridian points

which affect the flow of the Chi, redirecting or restoring it until the

energy flow patterns are balanced and health is restored. Without surprise, most

acupuncture points have been mapped to be the exact same points as trigger

points.

 

Trigger Point Therapy also uses needles to eliminate irregularities in the

body's normal functioning, in this case the taut bands of pathological muscle

tissue are known as trigger points. However, tendons, ligaments and joint

capsules may also refer pain to areas distant from the actual trigger point.

Tender points, which are points that are sore with pressure or palpation of the

doctor’s hand, may also be treated with trigger point injections or

Prolotherapy. Unlike the dry needle of acupuncture, the trigger point or

Prolotherapy

needles deliver fluid to the target area to be treated. By puncturing the

tissue, trauma to the area is caused, resulting in a rush of white blood cells

to the area that provokes a reaction and stimulates the healing process.

Frequently, in trigger point therapy the physician will use a local anesthetic

solution such as lidocaine to relieve the pain as well.

 

Acupuncture needles act as " magnetic " attractants to steer the Chi energy

into proper channels. However, acupuncture needles can also be used in a

pecking fashion and reach the same end as trigger point therapy or

Prolotherapy.

The deep tissue injection of the trigger point attacks the problem directly,

causing physical changes and subsequent, histological composition of the tissue

provoked by the needle.

 

Since acupuncture works on the energy flowing through the entire body, it is

effective on all parts including the organs. At present, trigger point is

used exclusively for myofascial pain and dysfunction.

 

Prolotherapy takes trigger point theory a step further, by adding an

irritant solution, like dextrose or phenol to the injection process. This

irritant

solution helps speed up the proliferation of new collagen tissue.

 

It is highly effective for rejuvenation of joints, muscles, tendons and

ligaments. Acupuncture, trigger point therapy, and Prolotherapy are basically

variations of the same therapeutic process, all originating from ancient

medical

arts, best known in China and Greece.

 

Diverse though they are, all three therapies use needles and all have been

very successful, often exceeding or succeeding where traditional treatments

have failed.

 

Simple but sophisticated, based on theories of healing dating back several

centuries, Prolotherapy has been honed over the last five decades into an

incredibly successful, natural therapy, proven to correct many of the deeper,

structure-related problems such as chronic pain and myofascial pain.

 

RELATED ARTICLES

 

_How Does Prolotherapy Work?_

(http://www.getprolo.com/how_does_prolo_work.htm) Marc Darrow, M.D.

 

_Prolotherapy: Creating Inflammation in an Area that is Already Inflamed_

(http://www.getprolo.com/prolotherapy_inflammation.htm) Marc Darrow, M.D.

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