How does it work?

Using traditional Chinese Medicine diagnostic techniques with modern orthopedic and manual muscle testing, the practitioner pinpoints the location of tissue injury or dysfunction and uses motor points or trigger points to reactivate and engage the dysfunctional muscle fibers. This process is done through creating a twitch in the muscle fiber. Think of the twitch as a muscle reset. This twitch releases muscle tension and increases muscle flexibility. These twitches can be small, where it is only felt through the needle, or they can be large, where the patient can feel and see a visible twitch.

Motor points are areas of muscle that are easily “excitable” and are located on the muscle belly where there is the largest concentration of nerve ends. When needled, these points create the desired muscle twitch. Motor points work best for muscle imbalances, range of motion issues, and performance enhancement.

Unlike motor points that have a set location, trigger points can be located anywhere on the affected muscle. Trigger points are sometimes called “knots” in the muscle. The defining factor of trigger points is that the pain from the “knot” radiates to other areas on the body when palpated. When needled, these points also create a twitch response. These twitches tend to be on the larger side and can come with a dull ache in the affected area during needling and occasionally a day or two after. Trigger points are treated as they appear and are usually seen in more acute pain patterns.