Trigger point therapy is also called myofascial trigger point therapy. It was developed by Dr. Janet Travel in the United States in the 1940s.

What are Trigger Points?
Trigger points are areas of tenderness in a muscle. There are two basic types of trigger points: active and latent.

Active trigger points cause muscular pain and will refer pain and tenderness to another area of the body when pressure is applied.

Latent trigger points only exhibit pain when compressed, they do not refer pain to other areas of the body. Latent trigger points are believed to be one of the causes of stiff joints and restricted range of motion of old age.

Trigger points may be associated with myofascial pain syndromes or fibromyalgia. Trigger points are very common. They are also referred to as muscle knots.

Trigger points differ from acupressure points. Acupressure points are concentrations of energy or blockages of the body's energy pathways. Trigger points are physical phenomena that can be felt by touch.

The pain caused by trigger points may be the biggest cause of disability and loss of time in the workplace.

What Causes Trigger Points?
Trigger points have several causes. Some common causes of trigger points are: birth trauma, an injury sustained in a fall or accident, poor posture, or overexertion.

What is the Purpose of Trigger Point Therapy?
The purpose of trigger point therapy is to eliminate pain and to re-educate the muscles into pain-free habits. After several treatments, the swelling and stiffness of neuromuscular pain is reduced, range of motion is increased, tension is relieved, and circulation, flexibility and coordination are improved.

Experience the benefits of a therapeutic massage:
- Physically relaxes the body which reduces anxiety and stress
- Reduces muscular tension and discomfort
- Relieves muscle aches and stiffness
- Improves blood and lymph circulation
- Improves the immune system
- Improves tissue elasticity and joint flexibility
- Helps lower blood pressure

Elizabeth Mariani, NCTMB
Therapist: Fees: 1/2 hr: $35.00 1 hr: $60.00 90 min: $85.00
Nationally Certified and Insured Swedish-Deep Muscle-Prenatal
By appt. only: (908) 479-1669

decompression therapy.
Decompression Therapy (DTS) is an Alternative to Surgery. This gentle, non-surgical therapy can provide lower back pain relief, sciatica pain relief, and is a state-of-the-art therapy for neck pain relief, bulging or degenerative disc disease, and lumbar pain.

Disc distraction works by restoring proper function to an injured disc. This is done by producing a controlled, mechanical traction on the spine using the Triton DTS Distraction Table. During the 'pull' injured discs are gently stretched apart, producing a suction force inside the disc. This draws disc buldges and herniations back into the center of the disc along with oxygen, water, nutrients, and other healing substances. The end result is a strong, healthy, properly functioning disc in about 84% of the patients.

Disc distraction is a lot like disc rehabilitation. Not only does distraction minimize disc bulges and herniations, but it also restores the proper nutrient supply to the disc. This allows the disc to regain its proper motion, and essentially proper nutrient supply. If the distraction is successful, the disc remains healthy even after the distraction treatment is finished. You'll experience several cycles of stretch and relaxation, which graduates to a peak over a period of several minutes.

Therapy sessions typically last less than 20 minutes, 3 -5 times a week for 3 weeks to 1 month, transitioning from passive to active treatments as you respond, with most patients feeling pain relief with as few as 6-10 treatments. Most patients are released from treatment after 4 weeks.