The body operates with thousands of moving parts, from the major muscles and bone groups to much smaller, invisible elements that keep things functioning quietly. Some of the less noted, yet significant elements of your body that people should be mindful of when staying active are trigger points.
You might have heard of getting a trigger points massage, but what does this sort of therapy actually target? Trigger points are the key to a lot of persistent pains that won’t let up, even with traditional attention. This article will explore these irritable spots and explain how they can be properly cared for.
What are trigger points?
Each body trigger point can also be described as a “knot”. This is really a sensitive, irritable spot within a taut band of muscle fibre. This can also be described as a tiny patch of muscle that’s become locked in a tight state of contraction, cutting off its natural blood supply in a process known as local ischemia. This means that the muscle can’t get enough oxygen to relax properly, staying stuck in one place.
Trigger points are known for generating ‘referred pain’, which means that when pressed, they can send aches, zaps and shocks of pain into different areas of your body. For example, you might touch a trigger point on a shoulder and get a pain in your temple.
What is trigger point therapy
Trigger point massage therapy differs from many different forms of massage, in that it’s not a flowing, full body experience, like Swedish or Lomi Lomi massage. Trigger point therapy is a lot more targeted, stationary and methodical.
It follows a fairly standardised process in most cases:
- First, the therapist palpates the muscle and discovers the ‘bead’ of tension, which should cause the specific pains to arise.
- The therapist then applies pressure directly to the pressure point, in a practice known as ischemic compression, for 30 to 90 seconds. This is sometimes done with a thumb, elbow or even a specialised tool.
- The trigger point is choked, meaning the blood flow is blocked and the brain ‘resets’ the muscle fibre. Releasing the pressure brings forth a fresh surge of oxygenated blood, softening the tissue once and for all.
- A good massage therapist should then give the muscle a nice stretch, which will help to return it back to its standard, healthy function.
These steps should help to reduce the strife and pain caused by trigger points.
The benefits of trigger point therapy
The primary benefits of trigger point therapy include:
- Referred pain, such as jaw pain and sciatica-like symptoms can be eliminated by the trigger points being massaged.
- Removing the sticking in contraction allows the muscle to recover back to its normal length, allowing the joints, such as shoulders and hips to move freely.
- Addressing the root of the contraction prevents spasms, tightness and other overcompensations from surrounding muscles.
However, it’s worth noting that despite all of these benefits, the therapy is not exactly going to be the most enjoyable experience. While some massages, such as Lomi Lomi or more relaxing experiences can be extremely pleasurable from start to finish, trigger point therapy is designed to be a little painful. The intense pressure offers a “good hurt” but it’s not the nicest feeling in the world.
Post trigger point therapy
Remember, even if the therapy does wonders for the body, it’s worth noting that it can leave the body feeling a little sore and bruised for a couple of days after the fact. This is normal, and just a sign that your body is properly expelling the trapped metabolic waste.
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