Trigger Point Massage Therapy

Overview:
Trigger Point massage is used to eliminate muscle pain and tightness caused by trigger points (knots) in the muscles. While many massages feel good during and immediately after, but tension returns in hours or days, trigger point is often a more intense experience and focuses on eliminating the trigger points causing pain and tightness. Results often last longer than traditional massage, and a series of targeted treatments are often utilized to create longer-term changes in the muscle’s ability to relax. Benefits often radiate beyond the muscle itself, for example as reductions in “satellite” trigger points in the shoulder may reduce affiliated headaches.

Trigger points are often referred to as muscle knots-they are tight bands of muscle tissue that are tender to the touch. Trigger points are thought to be caused by deposits of waste products such as lactic acid. Trigger point massage uses sustained pressure or nerve feedback to release the trigger point and stop the pain.

Benefits:
Trigger point massage relieves pain and tightness by causing chronically tight muscles to relax. Muscle tightness, radiating pain, headaches, back/shoulder tightness, and lower back pain may in some cases be a result of chronically tight muscles triggered by overwork, injury, and/or pressure caused by other trigger points. Getting rid of trigger points can make a huge difference in removing this pain as well as improving range of motion, flexibility, and ability to participate in activities. A series of trigger point treatments can remove accumulated tightness and stiffness, leaving you energized, feeling younger, and improving athletic performance.

How it works:
Trigger point massage involves locating trigger points and applying pressure to help release them. To locate active trigger points, the massage therapist will ask you where you are experiencing pain. Using his or her expertise, the therapist can usually guess the approximate location of the trigger point based on the information you’ve given, even if the trigger point is located far away from where you feel pain. Once the trigger point is located, steady pressure is applied, sometimes including a pumping action. This action flushes out the lactic acid and smoothes the knotted muscle fibers. Often, the relief of the core trigger points highlight satellite or secondary triggers that weren’t felt until the primary pain points were relieved. Best results occur when several sessions occur over a few consecutive weeks, allowing the muscles to get used to a new, relaxed state.

Specialized equipment:

Keywords:
Pain, trigger points, range of motion, muscle tightness, flexibility, headaches, fibromyalgia

History:

Compare styles:

• A) Pressure applied: 5/5
• B) Fluidity of stroke-1/5
• C) % of body massaged: 3/5

Preparing for your visit:
Trigger point involves feedback between the therapist and client. Expect to have a brief interview highlighting your areas of concern at your first meeting. Wear loose clothing and do not eat a heavy meal beforehand. Also, make a list of the aches and pains that consistently affect you, and where they are located on your body. This will assist the therapist in pinpointing likely problem areas for you.

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Recommended Resources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trigger_point