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Trigger
Point Massage
Neuromuscular Therapy
and Connective Tissue Massage are two of our most popular
specialties which help reduce muscle tension while lengthening the
layers of connective tissue. Usually integrated together this style
of massage will address the "trigger points" which develop
and are a major source of discomfort - from sharp pain, dull aches,
numbness, tingling, pins & needles, as well as sensations of hot
or cold. Ever wonder what can be done to
help headaches, neck stiffness, carpal tunnel type symptoms, tennis
elbow, bursitis, frozen shoulder, back pain, low back stiffness,
sciatica, shin splints? A massage therapist that is skilled
with finding and treating trigger points can help you find immediate
relief. Not all massage therapists are skilled at trigger point
therapy.
Trigger points are accumulations of
waste products around a nerve receptor. Often times they feel like
nodules or taut bands of fibers within the soft tissues. Trigger
points form in muscles which have been overused or injured due to an
accident or surgery. Common characteristics are increased muscle
tension and muscle shortening. Increased muscle tension is the
primary side-effect of trigger points and pain is the most common
secondary effect. Trigger points can present themselves as referred
patterns of sensation such as sharp pain, dull ache, tingling, pins
and needles, hot or cold, as well as can create symptoms such as
nausea, ear ache, equilibrium disturbance, or blurred vision.
Trigger points can
exist in two states, either active or latent.
Active trigger points are those which cause discomfort. Latent
trigger points wait silently in the muscle for a future stress to
activate them. Aches and pains which began in the past become more
frequent and severe in intensity as we age. It is common to
attribute this discomfort to arthritis instead of our tight muscles
which harbor trigger points.
Trigger points are not
visible with traditional medical testing such as MRI or X-ray. 80 %
of the trigger point locations are common with acupuncture treatment
locations. When trigger points are not treated, they will create
satellite trigger points in the affected area. For instance, a
trigger point in the trapezius may cause a trigger point to appear
in the temple. The trigger point in the temple then may cause a
trigger point to appear in the jaw. And, voila! - a case of TMJ
To diffuse a
trigger point, static compression (pressure) is applied for 10
seconds, released, then pressure applied for 10 more seconds
in a pumping action while the client breathes deeply.
This action flushes the toxins and calms the nerves. Releasing
trigger points releases endorphins so the result is elimination of
discomfort as well as being energized.
Trigger point
massage is not a relaxing technique but the results of tripper point
therapy are worth their weight in gold. It requires the
participation of the client to communicate the presence and
intensity of pain and discomfort. The therapist and client work
together as a team to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment.
It is common to find
great improvement after one treatment. Repeated treatment may be
necessary for those with chronic trigger points. Stretching should
be done as "home work" to encourage the muscles that have
been treated to stay in a lengthened position.
Trigger point
research lists nutritional deficiencies or inadequacies as
"perpetuating factors." A good multi-vitamin
supplement that is high in anti-oxidants and is in an encapsulated
form can help ensure that once treated, trigger points do not
reform.
Since the
water-soluble nutrients which are critical to normal muscle function
(e.g. Vitamin C and B-Complex) can only stay at a peak level in the
blood stream from 4 to 6 hours I recommend one of the best vitamin
systems that I have found on the market today. VIEW.
Trigger Point Therapy is a subset of neuromuscular therapy which
examines and treats muscles and muscle attachments in layers from
superficial to deep, ligaments and connective tissues.
[Schedule
your appointment today] You will be so glad you did!
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