The quadratus lumborum muscle or QL. Is a muscle in the lower back. It helps to flex the spine to the side and stabilize the lowback and hip. Trigger points in this muscle are one of the most common causes of low back pain and stiffness. This is probably the most frequent muscle I work on in my practice when treating clients with low back and hip pain.
The Multifidus muscle is a long muscle that travels the length of the back. It helps move and stabilize the spine. It is a frequent carrier of trigger points. These points can cause back pain anywhere along the back and even into the sacrum. When they are bad enough spillover pain can be referred into the abdomen as well.
One of the most overlooked causes of back pain is trigger points in the abdominal muscles. Your abdominal muscles act to flex the trunk and to stabilize the upper body during most movements. As a result they can often become overloaded and strained. When this happens trigger points will form. These points will not only cause pain to be felt in the abdominal area but will also often refer pain into the back as well. Most massage for back pain is focused on the back muscles and the abs are often overlooked. If back pain in present the abdominals must be assessed to determine there involvement for a proper treatment to have the desired effect.
With a whiplash injury the muscles of the neck get overloaded and strained. When this happens trigger points can form in any or all of these muscles. Trigger points in the neck muscles will refer pain into the head and face causing headaches and migraines. These points won’t release with rest, stretching, or rehab exercise. They require a manual technique like trigger point massage for them to resolve.
A whiplash injury can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Myofascial trigger points that form in the muscles of the neck and back as a result of this injury can cause all of these symptoms listed below. For a complete treatment plan for whiplash, trigger points must be released.
did you know that one of the most successful ways to treat whiplash is with massage therapy? during a whiplash injury the muscles and soft tissue in the neck get damaged. massage therapy techniques such as trigger point massage are an effective way to treat these injured muscle and speed up the healing process.
Aberdeen Chiropractic 