Trigger Point Massage - How To Avoid The Most Common Mistakes
Many people have heard of massage therapy, but many don't 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 pedicure and manicure, the focus is more on removing the nail polish and making the cuticle easy - this 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 result in chronic pain and emotional stress.
Trigger point massage targets the tightest areas of the body (most often the lower neck and back ), helping to enhance mobility, posture, and range of motion. While the majority of massage is not painful, some may be. If you are getting a massage at a professional facility, the masseuse can use massage oil or a lubricant in order to reduce the sensation that could come with some kinds of massage. Lying down is usually recommended so you don't risk triggering the knots which could cause pain.
The term"trigger point" refers to the technical regions where massage therapy focuses its attention. There are in fact hundreds of those points throughout the body, but when the pain occurs, it is typically located in a specific place. Trigger points are usually hyper-sensitive, meaning that they are"on" over other areas within the body. As a result of this, chronic pain from these spots may lead to discomfort in many locations. Trigger points can be activated by activities like repetitive motion (running, jumping, etc..)
Trigger points can be very tricky to target and treat, but with some basic self-massage techniques it is possible to improve circulation, decrease muscle knots, loosen knots, etc. For instance, when I do my weekly Swedish massage, I begin 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 neck and continue the massage from there.
Some therapists have been known to suggest stretching for the relief of pain, but if your muscles are tight, it will only worsen the situation. This is why it's important to begin 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 individual condition to effectively target the regions for the best results.
Another common recommendation by massage therapists is to apply a cold compress to the trigger points. Cold compress is actually very helpful in reducing pain, but it does not 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 searching for trigger point therapy to aid with chronic pain, or to relieve the discomfort of accidents or sports injuries, start looking for a provider who has experience handling injuries and sports injuries. Look also for providers who focus on trigger point massage. You want someone who is fully trained and educated in this treatment technique. A massage therapist who's just starting out might not have the expertise you require.
Trigger points are almost everybody's worst nightmare, and nearly everyone wants to avoid them as far as possible. Trigger points are knots, either deep or shallow, that form in muscles. There are lots of different knots, and each individual develops a different sensitivity to pain. Trigger point massage is often recommended for the elimination or reduction of these troublesome knots.