In 1942, Dr. Jane Travell defined the term myofascial trigger points as “hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that produce local or radiating (referred) pain” in her book Myofascial Pain and dysfunction: the Trigger Point Manual. Trigger points are just basically a knot in the muscle on steroids. There are times you won’t know about the trigger point until you have that referred pain. Even if you’re complaining of pain in a specific area, trust your therapist as they work their way through, they may be looking for a trigger point.
Trigger point therapy is greatly beneficial to use during sessions when patients are acutely suffering from a trigger point in the muscle. Not only can a symptom of trigger points be pain, but there can also be lack of range of motion in the nearest joint; there could be weakness in the muscle, both symptoms causing an overload on surrounding and helper muscles. Addressing the trigger point through manual techniques we use at each session can help bring attention to not only the problem, but the root cause. We also try to give at home tools and ideas so that clients can try to help themselves in between sessions.
Examples of techniques we use to combat trigger points are:
The easy beginning; trigger point therapy, where the practitioner locates the affected area by palpation and applies more intense pressure at the exact point for a 15-30 second hold. During this short hold, a lot happens; our blood circulation is cut off to the direct area and once the tension is released, new, oxygenated blood rushes into the area which helps change the brains perception of pain in the area. Simultaneously during this, the brain is telling the body to stop contracting the muscle in the area which helps to lengthen the muscle fibers and stop sending pain signals to the specific area. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11266154/)
Pin and stretch techniques. It’s trigger point therapy, now just adding the ROM movement to the joint being affected. A perfect example of pin and stretch technique is at the piriformis, in most sessions I will use my elbow at the insertion point at the femur while putting the clients relaxed leg into both internal and external rotation. This technique not only helps release the trigger point, but it helps quickly increase joint range of motion.
Vacuum cupping is another great technique and tool we use in all our sessions. Applying the vacuum cup directly to the trigger point just enhances the trigger point therapy to a higher intensity. There is discoloration from the cups and there is reasoning for this discoloration. You can find more details on cupping in our cupping blog and by following us on social media where we discuss it. You can also subscribe to our video page to have access to self-cupping techniques to provide slight relief to yourself at home.
Another tool we use are scraping tools. They allow us to perform scraping techniques such as qua sha to specific areas such as the trapezius as it’s middle runs directly down the medial edge of the shoulder blade. The tools can be used to apply more intense pressure to a stubborn area. They can be used quickly over the affected area to rush in new blood and remove forementioned, stagnant toxins.
Trigger points can become a chronic, everyday problem. They can cause pain and interfere with simple daily activities such as sitting, walking or even standing. Setting up regular massage sessions, keeping up with regular movement, over a sedentary lifestyle, are all ways to combat the issues from continual trigger points. At Complete Wellness Therapy you can get all this help in one place. Use the scheduling tab on the website to connect with us today.