trigger point massage

Question 1

what is trigger point therapy

Answer 1

• type of massage designed to trigger point pain in specific areas of body (knots) that cause pain when they’re irritated or inflamed

Question 2

who founded trigger point therapy

Answer 2

• dr.janet travell
• pain symptoms among lots of people was ordinary back, shoulder or neck discomfort
• isolated painful areas in skeletal muscles

Question 3

how does trigger point work

Answer 3

• when muscle gets tight its bc one or more individual muscle cells gets shortened
• mostly bc of overuse
• when muscle cell is shortened in pulls on collagen sheath when pulls on neighboring muscles cells and causes entire muscle to be tight and knotted
• applying pressure to knots releases tension in individual muscle cells and allows it to go back to normal length

Question 4

how to find and release trigger points

Answer 4

• use fingers or tennis ball to massage muscle
• feel trigger points youself or have someone else do it
• apply pressure for 20-30 secs then release
• repeat until pain subsides

Question 5

what are trigger point injections

Answer 5

• most effective tx for myofascial pain syndrome
• inject local anaesthetic into trigger points to relieve muscle tension and pain
• injections stop flow of electrical impulses between muscles nad brain –> muscle relaxes –> pain disappears
• 3-5 sessions

Question 6

what is spray and stretch

Answer 6

• spray on surface anesthetic while stretching muscle group comprising trigger point

Question 7

what is dry needling

Answer 7

• very effetive way to release trigger points and tension nin muscles

Question 8

what are the benefits of trigger point therapy

Answer 8

• better circulation
• reduced stress and tension
• increased mobility and flexible
• higher energy levels
• better sleep pain relief from headache