Trigger Point Therapy

A trigger point is a tight area within muscle tissue or fascia that causes pain in other parts of the body.

There are a few more than 620 potential trigger points possible in human muscles. These trigger points, when they become active or latent, show up in the same places in muscles in every person.

An active trigger point is one that actively refers pain either locally or to another location (most trigger points refer pain elsewhere in the body along nerve pathways). A latent trigger point is one that exists, but does not yet refer pain actively, but may do so when pressure or strain is applied to the myofascial structure containing the trigger point. Latent trigger points can influence muscle activation patterns, which can result in poorer muscle coordination and balance.

A key trigger point is one that has a pain referral pattern along a nerve pathway that activates a latent trigger point on the pathway, or creates it. A satellite trigger point is one which is activated by a key trigger point. Successfully treating the key trigger point will often resolve the satellite, either converting it from being active to latent or completely treating it.

Trigger point massage therapy is specifically designed to alleviate the source of the pain through cycles of isolated pressure and release. In this type of massage for trigger point therapy, the recipient actively participates through deep breathing as well as identifying the exact location and intensity of the discomfort.

A trigger point in the back, for example, may reduce referral pain in the neck. The neck, now acting as a satellite trigger point, may then cause pain in the head. The referral pain may be sharp and intense, a dull ache or a warm or cold feeling.

The results and benefits of trigger point massage are releasing constricted areas in the muscles and fascia, thus alleviating pain. You can experience a significant decrease in pain after just one treatment.

Receiving massage with trigger point therapy on a regular basis can help naturally manage pain and stress from chronic injuries, help with over all muscle tightness and it can also help with muscle restoration, especially for sporting performance.