How do other methods of myofascial pain control stack up against trigger point therapy?
• Narcotics – very ineffective. Myofascial pain responds much better to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen. Pain medication should be supplemental only, and not the primary treatment. • Rest – Muscle immobility does nothing to treat trigger points. If may, in fact, induce trigger point formation. Rest is useful if it corrects some ergonomic problem or stops some irritating, repetitive activity. Rather than rest and immobility, correct the ergonomic problem and stop or change the irritating activity. • Physical Therapy – very good as it promotes ergonomic behavior and includes stretching. As a preventative, it can’t be beat. However, active trigger points cannot be stretched and PT alone hits a dead end with some trigger point pain. Also, pain relief is achieved much more slowly. • Chiropractic – very good tool for immediate help with myofascial pain but not good for fine tuning or long term relief. Most people can effectively treat their own pain over the long
