All About Trigger Point Therapy Massage | Trigger Point Calgary

Woke up with a tight knot in your neck? Feeling sore spots in your leg after a work-out?With all of the wellness and pain management out there, one therapy has been gaining attention for its effectiveness and holistic approach - Trigger Point Therapy. This unique therapy offers a promising solution to chronic pain. Mobility issues and overall wellness. Trigger point therapy is a soft tissue technique that works to release painful tension in muscles and fascia.

What is a Trigger Point?

Basically a trigger point is also known as a muscular knot. A trigger point is a hyperirritable spot meaning that it is excessively sensitive. Trigger points produce pain locally and in referred patterns and often accompany chronic musculoskeletal disorders. Acute or repetitive micro trauma may lead to stress on muscle fibers and the formation of trigger points. Trigger points are a common factor of acute aches and pains felt in the body.

There are three types of trigger points:

Active Trigger Points

Active trigger points cause pain when no pressure is applied. This means they are painful even when not being massaged. This type of myofascial pain is the most common and can be experienced anywhere in the body.

Latent Trigger Points

Latent trigger points are ones that cause pain when pressed and often send referral pain to other areas. These are precursors to active trigger points . if left untreated they will become active trigger points.

Satellite Trigger Points

Satellite trigger points are the area that the pain is referred to. For example a trigger point in your shoulder is sending pain referring down to the elbow, the elbow points would be the satellite trigger points. This is why it is important that you work on more than just the areas that are painful.

How To Tell If You Have Trigger Points

If you are experiencing stiffness or aching pain in the neck or limbs, you may be experiencing trigger points. There are tell-tale symptoms and signs of trigger points. If you are unsure if you have trigger points or not, here is a quick checklist:

Do you have localized pain in your muscles?
Does the pain increase when you apply pressure?
Does the pain increase or worsen at specific times or after certain exercises?
Do your muscles feel fatigued in any specific area?
Are you experiencing reduced range of motion in the affected areas?
Do your muscles feel tight or knotted up?

If you answered yes to many of these questions, you very likely have a trigger point.

Trigger points may also manifest as tension headaches, TMJ / jaw pain, joint pain, and pain shooting down your arms, legs and lower back. Trigger points may be a symptom of an underlying problem that requires intervention

What Causes Trigger Points?

When overworked or injured muscle fibers become unable to relax, which can cause mini contraction in a small area of the fascia or muscle fiber, thus stretching the muscle on either side of the trigger point. The knot restricts blood flow to the affected area, effectively starving the muscle of vital oxygen leading to a buildup of waste material in the cells.

How Does Trigger Point Massage Therapy work?

Trigger points cause a lot of pain and can greatly affect your everyday life and wellbeing. Trigger points will NOT heal on their own. Treating them requires the help of a skilled massage therapist, as there is no one type of massage, therapists use a number of techniques including but not limited to myofascial release and deep tissue. Massage works by pushing fresh blood flow and vital oxygen in flushing waste materials out. This oxygen helps to relieve some of the pain and encourages the muscles and trigger points to release.

What Are The Benefits of Trigger Point Therapy?

Trigger point therapy is an incredibly effective way to relieve pain and tension in the body. Trigger point therapy treatments have many advantages, making it an excellent alternative to conventional or traditional pain management approaches. Here are some of the most significant advantages:

Better circulation
Reduced Tension and stress
Increased flexibility and mobility
Higher energy levels
Better sleep
Increased range of motion

Book Your Trigger Point Therapy in Calgary

Trigger points may be small but they can cause massive discomfort and disruptions to your daily life. Luckily you can experience lasting relief with trigger point therapy massage. Whether you are an athlete looking to enhance your performance, a desk worker seeking relief from muscle tension or someone dealing with chronic pain. If you are dealing with pain, consider giving trigger point therapy a try.

Talk to your Calgary massage therapist at Why Knot, our skilled pain management specialists can create a treatment plan that works for you. Your health and wellbeing are our top priority.

Book your Calgary massage online today.