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. However, there are significant differences between such therapy. In manicure and pedicure, 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 can result in chronic pain and emotional stress.
Trigger point massage targets the tightest parts 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 could be. If you are getting a massage at a professional facility, the masseuse can use massage oil or a lubricant to be able to reduce the sensation that could come with some types of massage. Lying down is usually recommended so you do not risk triggering the knots which can cause pain.
The term"trigger point" refers to the specialized areas where massage therapy focuses its attention. There are actually hundreds of those points across the body, but if the pain occurs, it is typically located in a specific area. Trigger points are usually hyper-sensitive, meaning that they are"on" more than other areas in the body. Because of this, chronic pain from such spots may cause discomfort in many locations. 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 basic self-massage techniques it is possible to improve circulation, decrease muscle knots, loosen knots, and so on. For example, 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 back. Then I bring myself back up to my neck and keep 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 start at the origin: together with the muscles. While a therapist may have the ability to target specific tender points, they generally do not know enough about your personal condition to efficiently target the areas for the best results.
Another frequent recommendation by massage therapists is to apply a cold compress to the trigger factors. 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 to 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, look for a provider who has expertise handling injuries and sports injuries. Look also for suppliers who focus on trigger point massage. You want somebody 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 almost everyone wants to avoid them as much as possible. Trigger points are knots, either shallow or deep, that form in muscles. There are many different knots, and each individual develops a different sensitivity to pain. Trigger point massage is often recommended for the elimination or reduction of these annoying knots.