What is Trigger Point Massage?
You may have heard of trigger point massage but not be quite sure what it is. This type of massage therapy is a technique that is used to relieve pain in specific areas of the body. It is also known as myofascial release massage or pressure point massage. The goal of trigger point therapy is to release tension in the muscles and connective tissue.
To understand how trigger point therapy works, it is important to understand a little bit about the anatomy of the body. The human body is made up of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia (a type of connective tissue). These tissues can become tight and constricted due to overuse, injury, or stress. When this happens, it can cause pain in other areas of the body. This is because the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia are all interconnected.
Trigger points are created when these tissues become constricted. A trigger point is a knot or taut band of muscle that forms when the muscle fibers contract and then do not fully release. This can cause pain in other areas of the body because the trigger point irritates the surrounding nerves. Trigger point massage applies pressure to the specific area which releases the constriction and helps to relieve pain.
How Does It Work?
Trigger point massage therapy is usually performed by a licensed massage therapist. The therapist will apply pressure to the trigger using their fingers, knuckles, elbows, or a massager. The pressure should be applied for 10-30 seconds at a time. The therapist may also stretch the muscle around the trigger point. As the trigger point begins to release, you may feel a twitch or a cramp. This is normal and is a sign that the tension is being released from the muscle.
The Benefits of Trigger Point Massage
There are many potential benefits of trigger point massage, including:
- Reduced muscle tension
- Improved circulation
- Increased range of motion
- Improved flexibility
- Reduced pain
- Improvement in headache symptoms
What Does It Feel Like?
Trigger point massage can feel like a deep-tissue massage even though it is not as intense as a deep-tissue massage. The pressure that is applied during a trigger point massage will vary depending on your comfort level and the therapist’s goals for the session.
There are some people who find this technique to be too painful and prefer to avoid this type of massage altogether. However, most people find that the discomfort dissipates as the muscle relaxes and they are able to achieve relief from their pain. If you do find trigger point thearpy to be too painful, be sure to communicate this with your therapist so that they can adjust their technique.
How Can Trigger Point Therapy Help Me?
Trigger point massage can be beneficial for a variety of different conditions such as: headaches, neck pain, back pain, pinched nerves, frozen shoulder, TMJ (jaw pain), tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, and arthritis. In addition to providing relief from pain, it can also help to increase range of motion and improve flexibility.
How to prevent trigger points
As mentioned earlier, trigger points can cause a lot of referral pain. From TMj to headaches and frozen shoulder. Over time, they will increase in severity and intensity if you do not act to eliminate them. Although chiropractic and massage therapy are able to help you get rid of them, there are things that you can do at home to help prevent them from developing or progressing.
5 Things that will help you prevent trigger points:
- Regular exercise
- Stretching on a regular basis
- Maintain proper posture
- Optimize your sleeping position
- Maintain a healthy diet and water intake
Conclusion
If you are struggling with chronic pain or tightness in your muscles, our providers at PEAKiropractic can help you find relief. Learn more about us and our house call services. If you have any concerns about whether or not trigger point massage is right for you, be sure to contact us before scheduling a session, or read about other types of massage therapy that can be beneficial to you.
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