Trigger point therapy, or trigger point release, is a bodywork technique that involves the applying of pressure to tender muscle tissue in order to relieve pain and dysfunction in other parts of the body. Trigger points, or myofascial trigger points, are small muscle contractions that can be felt as a small nodule, commonly known as "knots," and pushing on this knot can be very painful. Trigger points can exist in any muscle throughout the body and will restrict motion as well as cause pain. Even more important to understand is how a trigger point built up in one area of your body could be causing pain in a completely different area of your body, known as referred pain. For this reason trigger point therapy can be extremely effective in releasing pain throughout the body.
Trigger Points Cause Pain or Tightness
When our massage therapist identifies a specific area of a muscle that feels tight, known as a trigger point or knot, and then works out the pressure, the muscle can relax, allowing it to work. When the trigger points are built up in the muscle, the muscle isn't working which can cause a lot of pain, tightness and loss of motion.
When our licensed massage therapist uses trigger point therapy, a key component of successful results is based on the communication between our patient and the massage therapist. When the massage therapist finds the trigger point, or "knot," the massage therapist will ask the patient to judge the pressure, or pain, they feel with each knot. The trigger points with the most pain, or pressure, will take precedent and the massage therapist will use a number of techniques to work out the knot. Although trigger point therapy is not comfortable, and would not be considered a relaxing massage, the technique is very effective for restoring motion in the muscles and to naturally manage pain and stress from chronic injuries.
