Trigger Point Therapy
What is it?
When you say that you have "a knot” in you shoulder/neck/back, you are talking about myofascial trigger points. Although their true nature is uncertain, the main theory is that a trigger point (TrP) is a small patch of tightly contracted muscle, an isolated spasm affecting just a small patch of muscle tissue. That small patch of knotted muscle cuts off its own blood supply, which irritates it even more. A collection of many nasty trigger points is called myofascial pain syndrome (MPS)
When trigger points are present part of the muscle fiber is contracted into a small thickened area, and the rest of the fiber is stretched thin. Several of these muscle fiber contractures in the same area are most likely what we feel as a "knot" in the muscle. These muscle fibers are not available for use because they are already contracted, which is why you cannot strengthen a muscle that contains trigger points. The sustained contraction can lead to the release of sensitizing chemicals, producing the pain that is felt when the trigger point is pressed. Eventually some of the structural changes may be irreversible if trigger points are left untreated for long enough.
When trigger points are present part of the muscle fiber is contracted into a small thickened area, and the rest of the fiber is stretched thin. Several of these muscle fiber contractures in the same area are most likely what we feel as a "knot" in the muscle. These muscle fibers are not available for use because they are already contracted, which is why you cannot strengthen a muscle that contains trigger points. The sustained contraction can lead to the release of sensitizing chemicals, producing the pain that is felt when the trigger point is pressed. Eventually some of the structural changes may be irreversible if trigger points are left untreated for long enough.
What do they feel like?
Individual Trigger points and myofascial pain syndrome can cause a shocking amount of discomfort — far more than most people believe is possible.
When pressed, trigger points feel like a nodule (the size of a pea or a thumb), in the muscle, and are usually very tender. Healthy muscles usually don't contain knots, are not tender to press, and when relaxed, they feel soft and pliable to the touch, not hard and dense, even if you work out.
When pressed, trigger points feel like a nodule (the size of a pea or a thumb), in the muscle, and are usually very tender. Healthy muscles usually don't contain knots, are not tender to press, and when relaxed, they feel soft and pliable to the touch, not hard and dense, even if you work out.
What activates a trigger point?
Each muscle has potential trigger points which can become activated by muscle overuse, inflammation, trauma, electrolyte imbalances, infections and nerve pain.
Pain Referral
Trigger points may refer pain both in the local area and/or to other areas of the body, and common patterns have been well-documented and diagrammed. These are called "referral patterns." Most of the time, trigger points are not located where you feel symptoms, and working on the area you feel symptoms does not give you relief.
Pain levels can vary depending on the stress placed on the muscle and any of other the perpetuating factors that keep trigger points activated. Tingling, numbness, or burning sensations are more likely due to nerve entrapments, which may be a result of trigger points entrapping the nerve.
Pain levels can vary depending on the stress placed on the muscle and any of other the perpetuating factors that keep trigger points activated. Tingling, numbness, or burning sensations are more likely due to nerve entrapments, which may be a result of trigger points entrapping the nerve.
How can Trigger Point Therapy help you?
Muscles with active trigger points are always weaker than normal muscles and unable to move through their full range of motion. Often because they are unable to perform their normal function, other muscles are recruited to perform the activity of the compromised muscle. These secondary muscles can go on to develop trigger points themselves if the original muscle is not treated.
The response to Trigger Point Therapy treatment varies from person to person. Generally, for recent injuries or current conditions, only a few Trigger Point Therapy treatments are needed in a short space of time.
Chronic conditions involving severe pain, or conditions that have been drawn out, may require some intense initial treatment followed by ongoing treatment on a fortnightly/ monthly or six-weekly cycle to simply maintain your improvement. Obviously, your treatment schedule will vary depending on your condition.
For more specific discussion get in touch with Tegan via email/phone.
The response to Trigger Point Therapy treatment varies from person to person. Generally, for recent injuries or current conditions, only a few Trigger Point Therapy treatments are needed in a short space of time.
Chronic conditions involving severe pain, or conditions that have been drawn out, may require some intense initial treatment followed by ongoing treatment on a fortnightly/ monthly or six-weekly cycle to simply maintain your improvement. Obviously, your treatment schedule will vary depending on your condition.
For more specific discussion get in touch with Tegan via email/phone.
How are Trigger points treated?
The taut bands of muscle that accompany trigger points are often easily identified on palpation and pain can quickly be minimized with sustained compression on the affected tissue for 30 to 90 seconds. Some discomfort may be experienced when the compression is applied but the therapist will position the muscle to minimize the discomfort until such time it subsides completely.
People seeking physiotherapy, massage and other modalities often combine their treatments with Trigger Point Therapy for greater recovery time and better mobility.
People seeking physiotherapy, massage and other modalities often combine their treatments with Trigger Point Therapy for greater recovery time and better mobility.
What conditions does Trigger Point Therapy help?
Trigger Point Therapy is recognised as an effective treatment for pain.
The main reason behind its success appears to be related to chronic pain patterns. The establishment of chronic pain patterns occurs within a few months of an injury.
Once established, these pain patterns are difficult to reverse by other conservative treatment techniques. Trigger Point Therapy is often very useful in breaking this pain cycle.
In particular, Trigger Point Therapy is useful when other forms of traditional western treatments have failed to fully eliminate your pain. In my experience, Trigger Point Therapy is very useful in the relief of:
The main reason behind its success appears to be related to chronic pain patterns. The establishment of chronic pain patterns occurs within a few months of an injury.
Once established, these pain patterns are difficult to reverse by other conservative treatment techniques. Trigger Point Therapy is often very useful in breaking this pain cycle.
In particular, Trigger Point Therapy is useful when other forms of traditional western treatments have failed to fully eliminate your pain. In my experience, Trigger Point Therapy is very useful in the relief of:
- Joint Pain
- Back Pain
- Shoulder Pain
- Knee Pain
- Sciatica
- Headaches
- Muscle pain