Trigger Point Massage - How To Avoid The Most Common Mistakes
Many people know of massage therapy, but many don't realize it's a particular sort of therapy. Many tend to confuse massage with manicure or pedicure. But, there are significant differences between these kinds of therapy. In pedicure and manicure, the focus is more on removing the nail polish and making the cuticle smooth - this doesn't really apply to massage. Trigger point massage is a more targeted approach, focusing directly on releasing painful trigger points in the body, which may lead to chronic pain and psychological stress.
Trigger point massage targets the tightest areas of the body (most often the lower neck and back ), helping to improve mobility, posture, and range of movement. While nearly all massage is not painful, some may be. If you are getting a massage in 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. Slimming down is usually recommended so you do not risk triggering the knots that could cause pain.
The term"trigger point" refers to the specialized 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 area. Trigger points are usually hyper-sensitive, meaning they are"on" over other areas within the body. As a result of this, chronic pain from such spots may cause discomfort in many locations. Trigger points can be activated by activities like repetitive motion (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. By way of 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 neck and continue 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 why it's important to begin at the source: 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 frequent recommendation by massage therapists is to apply a cold compress to the trigger points. 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 to the muscles, which then causes more pain.
If you're looking for trigger point therapy to aid with chronic pain, or to alleviate the discomfort of accidents or sports injuries, look for a provider who has expertise handling injuries and sports injuries. Look also for suppliers who specialize in trigger point massage. You want somebody who is fully trained and educated in this treatment technique. A massage therapist who is just starting out might not have the experience you need.
Trigger points are almost everybody's worst nightmare, and almost everyone would like to avoid them as much 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.