trigger points
This is an extremely effective style of therapuetic massage and bodywork. A trigger point is an area of taut and sensitve muscle fibers or fascia that refers a distinct pain pattern to another area of the body. These restricted fibers can cause many symptoms such as joint pain, restricted range of motion, muscle pain, headaches, digestive issues and more. The significance of trigger points is that the pain is not always where the problem lays. For instance, trigger points in the side of the neck cause pain in the shoulder and down the arm. So you can treat the shoulder and never fully find the source of the problem. As the picture shows, trigger points in another muscle in the side of the neck will shoot pain into the eye, forehead, and head. This pain referral pattern can be true for many conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, bursitis, sciatica, back pain, knee issues and more. Migraines and fibromyalgia also respond very favorably to using trigger point therapy.
Dr. Janet Travell was able record where each trigger point would refer pain to. So we have this wonderful map of the entire body that shows us these pain patterns. If someone comes to me with unexplained or chronic pain somewhere I will always consider the possiblity of a trigger point and test for it. They are relatively easy to confirm and treat. It takes a few seconds to a few minutes to distingish a trigger point with sustained gentle but firm pressure. Then lengthen the muscle fibers and fascia to resolve the strain pattern and change how the muscle responds to stress.
This is a great addition to any treatment protocol, it frees up joints and muscles and helps get rid of that nagging pain you could not figure out!
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