Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy
performed by Jeffrey A. Lutz, CMTPT

Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy, a clinical form of massage therapy, is comprehensively utilized specifically for muscle pain and dysfunction.

Trigger points are areas within a muscle which refer pain to other parts of the body. This is called referred pain.

"We believe a good therapist can

help their patients when they hurt,

but a great therapist empowers

people to help themselves."

Referred pain is nothing new. The most common referred pain is from the heart. When a person is having a heart attack they will feel pain in the chest and down the left arm. Since the heart is located in the thoracic cavity it is difficult to understand how pain may be felt in the left arm. It is because of the interaction the heart has with the central nervous system.

When pain is coming from the heart, or any other organ, it is called visceral pain. When pain comes from the skeletal muscle it is called myofascial or musculoskeletal pain. Just as the heart has a very specific pain pattern when something is wrong, so does skeletal muscle. It is the recognition of this pain and its symptoms that point to the muscle(s) causing the condition.

When it comes to muscle pain it is important to realize that pain is referred from its source to another area (where you feel it) about 85% of the time. This is why simply treating the area that hurts only provides temporary relief.

Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists follow a protocol for treating myofascial pain. The protocol works to restore the range of motion of the muscles and joints, thus reducing pain and restoring function. Another aspect of trigger point therapy is patient/client education and participation in the healing process. Our goal is always to release people from care with the understanding of how to easily manage their condition. We believe a good therapist can help their patients when they hurt, but a great therapist empowers people to help themselves.

"Another aspect of trigger point therapy is

patient/client education and participation in the

healing process"

Trigger point therapy is not a miracle by any means, but is often quite effective. We will take many different types of cases, but if a pain case not until the person has had pain for at least one month.

Jeff Lutz is a Board Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist. He has been in practice since 2001 and has attended over 200 hours of continuing education. Jeff also served on the board of the National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists (NAMTPT) for 5.5 years, serving as the public relations officer and vice president and is the current President Elect of the association.

To read more about Jeff's qualifications, please read About Our Therapists.

To book an appointment with Jeff, please call 724-853-2353.

To contact Jeff by email, click here.