Trigger Points Affecting The Lower Torso

Introduction

The body’s lower extremities have a crucial role, as they help support the upper body’s weight and provide stability to the lower body. The lower half of the body consists of the lower abdomen, hips, pelvic region, and buttocks, which are surrounded by various muscles that support the lumbar and pelvic areas of the spine. These muscles help protect the lower vital organs and work with the central nervous system to utilize the sensory-motor function of the legs and feet. When normal factors, such as prolonged sitting or standing, begin to affect the lower body, they can cause referred pain to travel down to the legs, leading to the lower extremities developing symptoms associated with trigger points in the lower torso. Today’s article examines the lower torso, the impact of trigger points on this area, and therapeutic methods for managing trigger points in the lower torso. We refer patients to certified providers who use various techniques in effective body pain treatments for trigger points, helping individuals suffering from pain-like symptoms in the lower torso and lower extremities. We encourage patients to seek care from our associated medical providers based on their diagnosis, especially when it is appropriate. We understand that education is an excellent solution to asking our providers complex questions at the patient’s request. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., utilizes this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

What Is the Lower Torso?

Have you been feeling stiffness around your hips lately? Have you noticed that you are constantly leaning forward, causing strain on your lower back? Or have you been experiencing pain in one location in your lower half? Addressing issues in the lower half of the body may correlate with somato-visceral symptoms linked to trigger points in the lower torso. The lower torso of the human body, also known as the lower abdomen, is defined as the anterior region of the trunk located between the thoracic diaphragm and serves as the cavity that houses the digestive, urinary, endocrine, and reproductive systems. The lower torso comprises various muscles and nerves that surround the lower back, hips, pelvis, and buttock region of the body, stabilizing the legs when in motion and supporting the upper body. The muscles in the lower torso also surround the lumbar and pelvic areas of the spine to protect the joints and vertebrae from becoming dysfunctional. When issues begin to arise and affect the lower torso, it can lead to overlapping problems that impact the body’s lower extremities.

How Do Trigger Points Affect the Lower Torso?

Many people are unaware that prolonged sitting or standing can lead to issues in the lower torso, which may also cause problems in the legs, hips, pelvis, and feet. This causes the blood supply to pool in the legs and feet, resulting in swelling and muscle weakness in the lower torso muscles. Another issue arises when the lower torso experiences a traumatic event, which can lead to the affected muscles developing tiny nodules known as trigger points that create problems in the lower back, hips, pelvis, and buttock region of the body. Studies reveal that trigger points are often characterized by pain, causing a limited range of motion in the joints and leading to muscular contracture, as well as mimicking other chronic conditions affecting the muscles. When trigger points affect the muscles in the lower torso, as described in “Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, ” by Dr. Janet Travell, M.D., pain associated with movement can cause tingling or electric sensations to radiate down to the lower extremities, resulting in somato-visceral referred pain to the lower torso. The irritated nerve roots from the spinal cord branch out to various muscles, leading to referred pain in different areas of the lower extremities.

Trigger Point Therapy For The Abs—Video

Are you experiencing any challenges with hip mobility? Have you experienced low back pain after maintaining a hunched position for an extended period? Or have you been experiencing problems in your pelvic region? Lower torso trigger points correlate with many of these issues. Trigger points or myofascial pain syndrome are caused when the affected muscles have been overused or have been through a traumatic event that causes referred pain to different body locations. The video explains where trigger points are located in the lower torso, especially in the abdomen, and how to release them through palpations and massage. These techniques can help reduce the pain symptoms that affect the lower torso and manage myofascial pain from developing in the future.

Therapeutic Ways To Manage Trigger Points In The Lower Torso

Pain specialists like chiropractors and massage therapists will use various techniques to reduce the pain and alleviate the trigger points from the affected muscles. Many patients often visit a pain specialist who treats trigger points based on recommendations from their primary doctor. They will go through an examination process and explain to the pain specialist where the pain is located. Afterward, they will devise a treatment plan with the patient’s primary doctor, allowing them to follow a routine to prevent the pain from returning. Various techniques like stretching the abdominals, exercising, and resting can manage trigger points from returning to the affected muscles and even help bring muscle strength back to the body.

Conclusion

The lower torso consists of the hips, lower back, pelvis, and buttock region while protecting the body’s vital organs. The lower torso helps stabilize the lower body extremities and supports the weight of the upper body. When normal issues, such as prolonged sitting or standing, start to cause muscle strain in the lower torso region, it can develop trigger points that lead to various problems in that area and mobility issues in the lower abdominal region. When the pain becomes unbearable, many individuals go to a pain specialist to help manage the trigger points that affect the lower torso region and bring back mobility functions to the lower extremities.

References

Akamatsu, Flavia Emi, et al. “Anatomical Basis of the Myofascial Trigger Points of the Gluteus Maximus Muscle.” BioMed Research International, Hindawi, 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5733974/.

Travell, J. G., et al. Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual: Vol. 2: The Lower Extremities. Williams & Wilkins, 1999.

Wade, Christian I., and Matthew J. Streitz. “Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Abdomen—StatPearls—NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 25 July 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553104/.

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