Trigger Point Massage

Trigger Point Massage is a type of massage therapy which examines and treats muscles and muscle attachments. It differs slightly from regular massage because instead of treating the muscle as a whole, it treats the muscles in layers. It works with the body’s surface muscles and their connective tissues as well as deeper ligaments and their connective tissues. It is very similar to the Acupressure technique but in some ways works on a deeper level.

Trigger points are known to occur up and down your body. These points are where nerves crossover muscles and create tension. They are most common in the muscles that control side to side body movement, especially those used to maintain posture, but they can be found throughout the body.

Nerves are constantly sending messages to muscles; some telling the muscles to tense and some to relax. Often times a nerve will send a message telling a muscle to tense but fails to send a message to relax. Over time this can cause the spread of pain throughout the body. Trigger Point therapy works to apply pressure to the muscle which causes a brief interruption in the signal, thus relaxing the muscle. When the muscle relaxes, it reduces the pain.

Trigger points can be classified in two ways, either active or latent. Active trigger points produce ongoing pain whereas latent trigger points do not cause pain until pressed. Both, however, create a localized convulsive response when pressed. Both trigger points are often linked to a decreased range of motion, weakness in the affected muscle, and decreased ability of the muscle to stretch.

By keeping emphasis on trigger points and using regular relaxation massage, therapists are able to completely relax the muscles and alleviate the pain caused by these points. The overall effects are reduction in chronic pain, healthier muscles and a healthier body.