Trigger point (TP) therapy is
a type of neuromuscular work.
Have you tried: chiropractic,
magnets, medication, acupunture, herbal therapy,
physical therapy?Gotten no results?
TP could be the reason behind
your pain/problem/issue.
Opinion is growing that many
of our daily aches /pains are caused by TP. Some
basic, common ailments such as: Headaches, neck
pain, jaw pain, back pain, carpel tunnel, tennis
elbow, golfers elbow, tendonitis, arthritis and
SO many other conditions.TP
have been attributed to ear aches, nauseua,
dizziness, and other more common diagnosed
issues-or really mis-diagnosed.
Travell, Janet and Simons,
David are quoted as the founders of TP therapy.
They studied and ‘mapped’ the TP paths. They
define TP as “ a small contraction knot within
muscle tissue”. Others explain TP as: ‘ a highly
irritable localized spot of exquisite tenderness
in a nodule in a palpable taut band of muscle
tissue’.A
‘map’ is needed to have a basic idea of where TP
are and where they refer the pain. Most
modalities treat the site/muscle where pain
occurs, hence why people get some immediate
relief but pain returns. The location/cause of
the pain is not addressed.
TP can be active and painful
or they might be latent and cause pain later.
They are a very “odd duck” as I would say. This
can be why pain is mis-diagnosed and mistreated
which leads people down an ugly road of pain,
meds, depression, more meds, loss of work,
surgery, and still no pain relief nor end in
sight.
TP can occur in any muscle of
the body (200 pairs). TP can last a lifetime and
been shown to exists in muscle tissue even after
death. WOW!Needless to say they are persistent
little buggers. TP are a component of 93% of
pain. No person is exempt from TP, because TP
are very common place. With todays jobs, chores,
sports, and activity levels, TP form easily with
overuse. TP can be latent/remission and
flare-up/become active very quickly and easily
with stress and/or strains.
TP themselves are typically
tender to touch and certainly to pressure. The
catch 22 is pressure is how to work them out and
increase blood flow to the area for healing and
reduced pain.
Stretching is hit or miss. If
it helps you feel better-then do it. Although
stretching should NEVER hurt or cause pain. TP
can do just that when you stretch.
TP do not have to be in the
muscle where the pain is nor affect the muscle
they are in at all, but they can. They can range
in size from pinhead to pea size and refer close
or far away.
Here is what the inside of a
TP looks like:
A=normal muscle fiber at rest
(not contracted)
B=knot in muscle fiber (over
stimulated and unable to “let go”-relax
C=non-knotted, but affected
fiber with in the muscle
Therapy helps equalize the
space, encouraging “rest” and releasing of the
knot/TP.
In each treatment session we
talk about correcting-posture, overuse, and
changing the condition that create the tension,
overuse and ultimately TP. If you do not change
what is causing the problem, the TP and pain
will return.
Many massage techniques may
work over muscles with TP, but not the TP
directly, meaning Swedish, acupuncture, PT, etc…
have little affects on TP directly, hence why no
great results and relief occur.
You must see someone who does
TP work typically treatment or medical massage.
We here at Stress Waived
focus on pain reduction/relief and work on TP
with other added modalities/techniques to
achieve these results.
If you are in pain, we would
love to see and help you. You can schedule by
calling or online.
