Recepter Tonus Certified Chiropractor
What is the Receptor Tonus Technique?
The Receptor Tonus Technique is a system for finding and treating Trigger Points.
What is a Trigger Point?
A Trigger Point us an accumulation of metabolic waste products (such as carbon dioxide, lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, etc.), that concentrate at points in a muscle. It causes local pain, as well as pain in other parts of the body. These metabolic accumulations cause pain by irritating nerve endings in the muscle, sending an excess of pain signals to the nervous system.
How do I get Trigger Points?
In our everyday activities we sometimes damage a muscle in an accident, by overworking the muscle, or by exposing it to the prolonged periods of stress and tension. When a muscle is damaged through overuse, or direct or indirect injury, the muscle produces an excess of metabolic waste products. Trigger Points form when the muscle cannot adequately flush out the toxins. Here are some of the causes of Trigger Points:
Direct Causes:
Straining the muscle
Repeatedly overworking the muscle
Cold drafts
Accidents
Indirect Causes:
Reaction from other Trigger Points
Diseases from other parts of the body
Arthritis
Emotional tension and stress
How dangerous are Trigger Points?
Trigger Points are a serious problem. When you have a Trigger Point over a period of time, your body can establish “pain pathways” in your nervous system. This not only creates pain, but causes the nervous system to form additional Trigger Points, creating more problems.
The muscles effected by Trigger Points can be tight and contracted, or weakened. When the muscles involved are attached to the spine, the cause spinal distortions and joint problems. If the spine becomes misaligned, these problem joints cause further irritation to the spinal nerves called “subluxations”. This can cause further problems such as sciatica, low back pain, headaches, numbness, pain and tingling in the arms and legs.
What can I do about it?
Nothing, and pretend it will go away.
Live with my pain, and be a pain to all those around me.
Take various drugs and try to hide the pain.
See a Doctor of Chiropractic specially trained in the Receptor Tonus Technique, who will eliminate the problem.
How does your chiropractor find Trigger Points?
On your first visit, your Chiropractor will take a thorough history. Next, your chiropractor will perform comprehensive neurological and orthopedic tests. The spinal exam is performed to determine if there are any misalignments, or subluxations, that may be causing nerve damage.
If your Chiropractor is certified in the Receptor Tonus Technique, the doctor will then perform a specialized exam. This is done by hand, using precise variations of pressure on specific muscles to determine which have Trigger Points.
How does your chiropractor treat Trigger Points?
When your Chiropractor is certified in the Receptor Tonus Technique, treatment involves the art of properly applied pressure, by hand, to the effected muscle. This pressure causes the following results: Trigger Points are deactivated, muscles relax, pain resolves.
Will the Trigger Points come back?
Over time, Trigger Points cause “pain pathways” in your nervous system. These pathways can be easily re-activated by any of the direct or indirect causes previously listed.
Often new Trigger Points begin to form without your awareness. These are called “Latent Trigger Points”. If left undetected these Latent Trigger Points will become active, painful, debilitating problems.
How can I prevent Trigger Points?
You can prevent Trigger Points by following a preventative program outlined by your Chiropractor. Your doctor will be able to find Latent Trigger Points and treat them before they become active problems.
Your Chiropractor may also recommend specific exercises, stretches and other ways in which you can prevent Latent Trigger Points from forming.
History and Development.
The Receptor Tonus Technique was developed by Raymond L. Nimmo. He devoted over thirty years researching and developing his work.