Trigger Point Massage - How To Avoid The Most Common Mistakes
Many people know of massage therapy, but many do not realize it's a specific sort of therapy. Many tend to confuse massage with pedicure or manicure. But, there are significant differences between these kinds of 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 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 improve mobility, posture, and range of movement. While the majority of massage is not painful, some may be. If you're getting a massage at a professional facility, the masseuse can use massage oil or a lubricant to be able to reduce the sensation that can come with some kinds of massage. Lying down is usually recommended so you do not risk triggering the knots that could cause pain.
The term"trigger point" refers to the specialized areas where massage therapy focuses its attention. There are actually hundreds of those points throughout the body, but if the pain occurs, it's typically located in a certain 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 such spots may lead to discomfort in many locations. Trigger points can be activated by activities such as 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, and so on. 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 throat and continue the massage from there.
Some therapists have been known to suggest stretching for the relief of pain, but when your muscles are tight, it will only worsen the situation. This is the reason 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 personal condition to efficiently target the areas for the best results.
Another common recommendation by massage therapists is to apply a cold compress to the trigger points. Cold compress is really very effective in reducing pain, but it doesn't always work. Cold compress only works because the blood vessels surrounding the hyper-sensitive areas become smaller. This results in decreased blood flow and decreased oxygen to the muscles, which then causes more pain.
If you're searching for trigger point therapy to help with chronic pain, or to alleviate the discomfort of accidents or sports injuries, look 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 knowledgeable in this treatment technique. A massage therapist who is just starting out may not have the experience you need.
Trigger points are almost everybody's worst nightmare, and almost everyone wants to avoid them as far as possible. Trigger points are knots, either deep or shallow, that form in muscles. There are many diverse 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.