Trigger Point Massage - How To Avoid The Most Common Mistakes
Many people have heard of massage therapy, but many do not realize it's a specific type of therapy. Many tend to confuse massage with pedicure or manicure. However, there are major differences between such therapy. In manicure and pedicure, the focus is more on removing the nail polish and making the cuticle easy - that does not really apply to massage. Trigger point massage is a more targeted approach, focusing directly on releasing painful trigger points in the body, which can lead to chronic pain and emotional stress.
Trigger point massage targets the tightest areas of the body (most often the lower back and neck), helping to enhance mobility, posture, and range of movement. While the majority of massage isn't painful, some could be. If you're getting a massage at a professional facility, the masseuse can use massage oil or a lubricant to be able to minimize the sensation that could come with some kinds of massage. Slimming down is usually recommended so you do not risk triggering the knots that can cause pain.
The term"trigger point" refers to the technical regions where massage therapy focuses its attention. There are in fact hundreds of these points throughout the body, but if the pain occurs, it is typically located in a certain place. Trigger points are usually hyper-sensitive, meaning they are"on" more than other regions in the body. Because of this, chronic pain from these spots may lead to discomfort in many areas. Trigger points can be activated by activities like repetitive movement (running, jumping, etc..)
Trigger points can be quite tricky to treat and target, but with some simple self-massage techniques you can improve circulation, reduce muscle knots, loosen knots, etc. For example, when I do my weekly Swedish massage, I start with my hands and go up to my shoulders. I work my way down to my arms, working the muscles along my spine. Then I bring myself back up to my throat and keep the massage from there.
Some therapists are known to suggest stretching to the relief of pain, but if your muscles are tight, it will only worsen the situation. This is the reason it's important to start at the origin: with the muscles. While a therapist may be able to target specific tender points, they generally do not know enough about your personal condition to efficiently target the regions for the best results.
Another common recommendation by massage therapists is to apply a cold compress to the trigger factors. Cold compress is actually very effective in reducing pain, but it doesn't always work. Cold compress only works because the blood vessels surrounding the hyper-sensitive regions become smaller. This results in decreased blood flow and decreased oxygen into the muscles, which then causes more pain.
If you're looking for trigger point therapy to help with chronic pain, or to alleviate the discomfort of injuries or sports injuries, start looking for a provider who has expertise treating injuries and sports injuries. Look also for providers who specialize in trigger point massage. You want someone who is fully trained and knowledgeable in this treatment technique. A massage therapist who's just starting out might not have the expertise you need.
Trigger points are almost everyone's worst nightmare, and nearly everyone would like to avoid them as far as possible. Trigger points are knots, either deep or shallow, that form in muscles. There are many different knots, and each person develops a different sensitivity to pain. Trigger point massage is often recommended for the elimination or reduction of these troublesome knots.