Trigger Point Massage - How To Avoid The Most Common Mistakes
A lot of people know of massage therapy, but many do not realize it is a particular sort of therapy. Many tend to confuse massage with pedicure or manicure. However, there are major differences between such therapy. In manicure and pedicure, the focus is more on removing the nail polish and making the cuticle easy - this does not really apply to massage. Trigger point massage is a much more targeted approach, focusing directly on releasing painful trigger points in the body, which can lead to chronic pain and psychological 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 may be. If you're getting a massage at a professional facility, the masseuse can use massage oil or a lubricant in order to minimize the sensation that could come with some types of massage. Slimming down is usually recommended so you don't risk triggering the knots which can cause pain.
The term"trigger point" refers to the specialized regions where massage therapy focuses its attention. There are in fact hundreds of those points throughout the body, but when the pain occurs, it's typically located in a specific place. Trigger points are often hyper-sensitive, meaning they are"on" over other regions in the body. As a result of this, chronic pain from these spots may lead to discomfort in many locations. Trigger points can be activated by activities such as repetitive movement (running, jumping, etc..)
Trigger points can be very tricky to target and treat, but with some basic self-massage techniques you can improve circulation, reduce muscle knots, loosen knots, and so on. By way of 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 back. Then I bring myself back up to my throat and keep 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 why it's important to start at the source: together with the muscles. While a therapist may have the ability to target specific tender points, they generally do not know enough about your individual condition to effectively 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 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 looking for trigger point therapy to aid with chronic pain, or to alleviate the discomfort of injuries or sports injuries, start looking for a supplier who has experience treating injuries and sports injuries. Look also for providers who focus on trigger point massage. You want someone who is fully trained and educated in this treatment technique. A massage therapist who's just starting out might not have the experience you require.
Trigger points are almost everybody's worst nightmare, and almost everyone wants to avoid them as far as possible. Trigger points are knots, either shallow or deep, that form in muscles. There are lots of diverse knots, and each person develops a different sensitivity to pain. Trigger point massage is often recommended for the elimination or reduction of these annoying knots.