Trigger-Point Therapy

What is Trigger Point Therapy?

In Trigger point therapy, pressure to tender muscle tissue is applied so that pain and dysfunction in the body is removed. It is not a massage, but sometimes along with the trigger point therapy massage is also performed. The muscle is examined and treated in layers from superficial to deep ligaments and connective tissues.

Trigger point therapy is referred to as myofascial trigger point therapy. It was developed by Dr. Janet Travell in the United States in the 1940s.

What are Trigger Points?

Headaches, neck stiffness, carpal tunnel type symptoms, tennis elbow, bursitis, frozen shoulder, back pain, low back stiffness, sciatica, shin splints are all result of trigger points caused by tenderness in a muscle. There are two basic types of trigger points: active and latent.

Active trigger points cause muscular pain and spread pain and tenderness to another area of the body if pressed. Latent trigger points only exhibit pain when compressed, and don’t have any spread, but cause stiff joints and restricted range of motion of old age.

Trigger points may be associated with myofascial pain syndromes or fibromyalgia. Trigger points are very common. They are also referred to as muscle knots. These are waste product accumulation around a nerve receptor. They feel like taut bands of fibers within the soft tissues. Trigger points get triggered as a late reaction to overuse or injury caused by an accident or surgery.

Trigger points differ from acupressure points that blockage of energy happens on the body's energy pathways in case of Acupressure. Trigger points are physical phenomena that can be felt by touch.

The pain may be the biggest handicap at workplace.

Pain is caused as a result of shortening of muscles. This can happens in the form of sharp pain, dull ache, tingling, pins and needles, hot or cold, as well as can create symptoms such as nausea, ear ache, equilibrium disturbance, or blurred vision.

What Causes Trigger Points?

Out of the several causes, birth trauma, an injury sustained in a fall or accident, poor posture, or overexertion are the common ones.

Medical testing such as MRI or X-ray can not locate or sense trigger points. traditional medical testing. But it is a good clue that 80 % of the trigger point locations are common with acupuncture treatment locations. When trigger points are not treated, a trigger point in the trapezius may cause a trigger point to appear in the temple, which in turn may cause a trigger point to appear in the jaw.

What is the Purpose of Trigger Point Therapy?

The muscles need to be reeducated, after eliminating pain. After several treatments, the swelling and stiffness of neuromuscular pain is reduced, range of motion is increased, tension is relieved, and circulation, flexibility and coordination are improved.

How Trigger point is treated?

A static compression (pressure) is applied for 10 seconds, released, then pressure applied for 10 more seconds in a pumping action while the client breathes deeply. This action flushes the toxins (endorphins) and calms the nerves.
Trigger point massage is not a relaxing technique. The therapist and client need to work together to maximize the effectiveness. Repeated treatment may be necessary for relapsing pains.

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