Trigger point therapy is a type of massage therapy directed toward relieving pains and discomfort caused by taut knots or “trigger points” in muscles. Such trigger points may cause referred pain-meaning, the pain is felt elsewhere other than where the knot is. For instance, an active trigger point on the upper back may cause headaches or shoulder pains. The knowledge of trigger point therapy can do much to alleviate chronic pain or tightness of muscles.
What Are Trigger Points
Trigger points appear as a response of muscle injury or tension inside small areas of tenderness within the muscle tissue. When a trigger point has formed, muscular fibers contract and become tight. Because of this, reduced blood flow and an accumulation of waste products inside the muscle produce pain, stiffness, and sometimes limitation of mobility of the affected part.
Trigger points are also sometimes referred to as causing pain in other areas of the body altogether, other than the area in which the trigger point is located. That’s why some people experience tension headaches, yet the real culprit actually lies in the muscles of the neck/upper back. Identifying and treating the trigger points will be helpful in addressing the root cause of various forms of muscle pain.
How Does Trigger Point Therapy Work
The treatment for them – trigger point therapy – involves the application of focused pressure to those tender spots in the muscles. So if done rightly, it shall release tension and allow them to relax. It could be done by fingers, knuckles, or any specialized tool, depending on their size and location. In this regard, the therapist may apply ischemic compression, which is a usual technique… Sustained pressure for several seconds up to minutes begins to realize the tension of the muscle fibers.
If budget is of any concern, then maybe a student massage clinic might be the way to go. The students will have indeed received training in various massage techniques that include trigger point therapy. And of course, treatments are usually conducted under the watchful eyes of experienced instructors. This might be great for getting rid of muscle pain while helping students learn and hone their skills.
A symptom arising from trigger point therapy includes decreasing or eliminating muscle pain. Whichever might be the cause of the pain, addressing the trigger points will generally provide major relief.
Pain Relief
Purpose of this therapy is to relax the root cause of discomfort and pain, therefore easing chronic tension and discomfort. Releasing tight muscle fibers allows the blood flow to return to normal state and decreases the pain caused by knots.
On that note, trigger point therapy is mainly performed for tension headaches, lower back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain.
Improved Range of Movement
Releasing these trigger points relaxes the muscles, helping them return to a better and more normal state. This greatly helps in improving flexibility and range of motion, for which many people may have suffered due to some sort of stiffness or tightness. This can be quite helpful, especially for people participating in sport activities or even hard physical jobs, to avoid injuries and improve performance.
Improved Circulation
It may impede the blood circulation to the muscles that are affected, resulting in chronic pain and muscle fatigue. This type of therapy releases the knots to let better flow and circulation of blood for oxygenation and nutrition to reach the muscle tissues and allow them to start the process of healing. The improved flow of circulation then diminishes inflammation and swelling to affect overall muscle health.
Less Stress and Tension
Chronic stress may also be another contributing factor to trigger points in the neck, shoulder, and upper back. In this regard, trigger point therapy helps to release physical tension brought forth by stress, improving a general feeling of relaxation and ease.
This could be used for regular sessions as a means of managing stress levels through the reduction of muscle tension and promotion of relaxation.
Long-term Pain Management
This may be one of the treatments that are integral in managing pain for chronic ailments such as fibromyalgia or myofascial pain syndrome over a very long period. With continuous therapy, one would prevent the occurrence of more trigger points and keep musculature healthy, hence decreasing the number and severity of flare-ups over time.
Conclusion
Trigger point massage therapy is a very specific and effective technique to release tight knots or nodules in the muscle. By applying focused pressure to tender areas, tension is released, circulation is improved, and relaxation is encouraged. With chronic muscle pain, tension headaches, or stiffness, trigger point therapy offers a very usable and non-invasive approach. Whether you are an athlete, a long sitter, or experience tension due to stress, trigger point therapy can be an important part of your pain relief and wellness routine.
