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Do you suffer from stiff and achy muscles and/or tension headaches, or is it difficult to reach to the floor to put your shoes on? All these could be symptomatic of a muscle dysfunction known as trigger points.
Here we will tell you about trigger points and their role in ongoing pain, even after a simple muscle strain has healed up well. We will also tell you what to look for in a masseur and how massage fits in with helping you.
What's causing the problem?
Based on the extensive works of Dr Janet Travell and Dr David Simons, trigger points and their referral zones were mapped throughout the body. They discovered that trigger points are increased nerve activity found in tight bands of muscle that are very sore and feel "knotty" to touch. They found that sustained pressure eased the symptoms. The therapy has evolved into a systematic deactivation of these trigger points.
The problem is that muscles can become tight through poor posture, stress from increased muscle tension, physical overload (such as lifting something too heavy) or a sudden tear through sporting activity.
Muscles can, as a reflex, go into a protective spasm when there is a pain problem occurring, such as disc injury or a spinal joint injury. Even when you have recovered from the injury the muscles can remain symptomatic.
What happens if this problem is not corrected?
The issue is that you still have an unresolved problem that can lead to chronic pain. We have all heard of muscles feeling "knotted". That's your overactive muscle segment. In the massage industry we call this a trigger point. If you don't do anything about these trigger points, complications can occur, such as abnormal movement compensatory patterns (moving differently because of the pain and putting stress on other parts of your body) and referred pain (pain transmitted away from the trigger point).
Here's a quick tip:
How do you know you have a trigger point? Well try this. If you get someone to push on the muscles around your neck, midway between shoulder tip and base of neck, you can often find a small lump that is tender. If you have had neck pain this may be more tender than the other side and radiate up the side of your neck, into your head or out to your arm.
What do you do to solve this?
After assessment, trigger-point therapy may be recommended. This is firmer massage and involves techniques such as sustained pressure over the tight muscle band to help release the tension. Often pressure on each spot can last from a few seconds to one minute and can be combined with other massage techniques.
Our masseurs have graduated with a diploma of massage, a two-year programme dedicated to massage.
If you want to assess your suitability for trigger-point therapy, check the website for more on how we can help, and take advantage of our 50% deal for November at www.backinmotion.co.nz or our Facebook campaign at www.facebook.com/bimnz