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Trigger Point therapy aims to seek out overly sensitive, irritated points and bands of pain deep in the muscles known as trigger points and applies specific techniques to release their hold. Trigger points are tender areas usually found in tight muscles. They may radiate, or refer, pain to other areas of the body. They can also cause muscle weakness and restricted range of motion. They can result from direct trauma to the body, exposure from the cold, overuse of a muscle, and chronic postural imbalances. These factors can cause a muscle to contract. As the contraction is held over time, the muscle becomes fixed in an involuntary holding pattern that can become the source of chronic nagging pain. Referral patterns go not only to other muscles but they also can radiate to organs in the body, resulting frequently in complaints such as headaches, indigestion, and upset stomachs. The goal in Trigger Point therapy is to locate and apply sufficient pressure to trigger points so that the chronic contraction releases. With the contraction released the pain released too.
Trigger point therapy is used to treat a wide range of complaints, including low back and all types of muscle pain, whiplash, tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, and TMJ.
A typical session focuses on treating specific physiological complaints and is performed in the same setting as a Swedish massage. The client is undressed and draped on a table. Very little oil is used because more friction is desired to release trigger points. The massage therapist will generally warm up the area with Swedish strokes before applying pressure to the points. During the therapy the client and therapist talk about what is being done and what the client feels. Points can be very tender, but should always be given within the clients comfort level. It is recommended not to exceed a 6 or 8 on a pain scale of 1-10. If it does the muscle will only tighten up further and no therapy will occur. A typical session lasts an hour and depending on the problem being addressed only a part of the body may be worked on.
Following the session the client may be sore for a day or two. This is a normal response of the body to the removal of toxins. It is recommended to increase their fluid consumption for the first 24 hours after treatment. Many clients feel significant relief from pain after only a few sessions.
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