Trigger point injections relax muscle spasms

A lot of my patients who are suffering from musculoskeletal pain come to me specifically for trigger point injection therapy.  Pain in these patients may result directly from injuries such as whiplash from motor vehicle accident or can be a result of unknown causes such as in patients with recurring headaches or fibromyalgia.

Trigger points are bands of taut muscle fibers that cause muscle tension and pain.  By using a fine needle and some local anaesthetic, however, you can release the trigger point and reset the muscle fibers back to normal function.  This can often result in tremendous pain relief without risk of side effects.

For more information about trigger point injection therapy, visit my website at www.drvictorchan.com.

Anti-inflammatories may be damaging your joints

The cover story of the most recent issue of the Journal of Prolotherapy features the connection between ligaments, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (known as NSAIDs), and degenerative osteoarthritis.

Common NSAIDs include Aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and Celebrex.  Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is not included in this group of drugs because it is a pain killer but not an anti-inflammatory.

NSAIDs are some of the most commonly used medications.  About 20-30% of elderly people regularly use NSAIDs for conditions including osteoarthritis.  However, long-term use of NSAIDs has many negative side effects including liver toxicity, stomach and gastrointestinal damage, cardiovascular disease, and even death.

The irony is that NSAIDs actually accelerate the arthritis that they are being used for.  They stop the body’s ability to stimulate the building blocks for cartilage in the joints.  This causes the breakdown of joints and the progression of osteoarthritis in your hips and knees, thus increasing the need for more joint replacement surgeries.

Instead of using NSAIDs on a long-term basis to mask the symptoms of joint disease, consider eating a healthier diet free from trans fats, adopting moderate exercise, and using prolotherapy to stimulate joint repair and tissue growth.

http://www.bjdcanada.org

Prolotherapy is an approach to improve joint health