Trigger Point Massage Treatment  

What Is Trigger Point Massage?

Trigger point massage is a therapeutic massage treatment targeting areas in the body that are painful when pressed on, This pain is caused by contraction of the affected muscle as well as the surrounding fibers as a result of overuse or injury, creating areas on the body known as myofascial trigger points. These trigger points cause both intense pain at the site as well as referred pain throughout the body because of the connective nature of muscle tissue.

This treatment specifically targets painful muscle tissue and the surrounding tissue by actively releasing the contracted muscle through manual pressure that is applied directly to the trigger point. Professional massage therapists use a variety of techniques when delivering a trigger point massage treatment such as compression, deep massage, short strokes and stretching of the muscle tissue. Practitioners of this type of massage may use their hands, therapeutic tools or a combination of the two to apply pressure to the trigger point.

The Benefits of Trigger Point Massage Treatment

Many people who receive trigger point massage treatments find that their pain and discomfort from both the trigger point(s) and the associated referred pain is either minimized or even eliminated after a few treatments. These patients enjoy finding relief from their pain and discomfort without requiring surgery or pharmacological therapy (medication). Trigger point massage is generally accepted as a low-risk way to treat trigger point pain, and this massage works well with the majority of patients who seek this type of treatment.

Who Can Benefit From Trigger Point Massage Treatment?

People who experience the uncomfortable symptoms of a trigger point such as pain, numbness, restricted range of movement and a reduction of muscle function in the affected area may find that trigger point massage treatment provides relatively quick relief from their symptoms.

Why People Get Trigger Point Massage Treatment

Most people seek trigger point massage treatment as a way to find relief from the often debilitating pain caused by this condition. Others find that the referred pain caused by the myofascial trigger point or points is adversely affecting their daily lives, as any type of chronic pain can cause fatigue, sleep disturbance and even depression.

Sources:

National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Massage Therapists:http://www.myofascialtherapy.org/

Massage Therapy.com: http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php/article_id/485/Trigger-Points

Wellness.com:http://www.wellness.com/blogs/ommani/2029/benefits-of-deep-tissue-massage-and-trigger-point-therapy/ommani