We go over the development of the neurotrigger points in the foundation and that is expanded in the advanced class from a neuroanatomical standpoint but that is not what you want to convey to patients. When I speak to a patient I emphasize inflammation and the effects on the body, specifically the nervous system and let them know that nerves can have inflammation and pain. I discuss when that happens it causes the muscles to guard to protect the nerves and that is the tightness "knots" they feel. We needle in key areas that will have an effect at the site of their "knots" but also throughout the length of the nerve. There are key areas where the nerve is more easily accessible to allow the needling to have a greater effect on the inflammation and that is why we place needles in specific areas. That is basically the discussion I have with a patient about homeostatic points.