Trigger point therapy aims at reducing the recovery time of injury, correcting muscular imbalances, and relieving pain. Neuromuscular therapy does this by stretching the muscles to release tension, pain, and fascia. The physiotherapist will stretch and pressurize the muscle to release the tightness or knots to relieve muscle tension and improve healing. There are different methods of trigger point therapy, such as soft tissue work, deep tissue massage, dry needling, and ischemic pressure.
The body has three trigger points, such as:
Active trigger Points
Any part of your body that feels pain even when no pressure is placed on it is an active trigger point. The pain is common and can worsen into myofascial pain. These pains include headache, neck pain, knee pain, back pain, and so on.
Latent Trigger Points
A latent trigger point is a point that causes pain that affects other areas. Latent trigger points can worsen into active trigger points through strain. These areas are known as the precursor to active trigger points.
Satellite Trigger Points
An area where the pain extends is known as a satellite trigger point. For example, if you feel pains in your thigh that extend to your knee, the tightness is the trigger point and the knee is the satellite trigger point. So the treatment also works on the knee to reduce the pain.
What Causes Trigger Points?
Trigger points result from weakness, poor diet, dehydration, and tense muscles. A restless overworked or injured muscle can lead to a mini contraction in the affected fascia or muscle fiber. The condition stretches the muscle band to each side of the trigger point. The contraction reduces blood flow to the area, leading to low oxygen and a pile-up of cell waste. In addition, the pain may hinder motion around the area, causing more fiber contractions and developing trigger points. The easy way out is to have a swift and effective treatment.
Methods of Trigger Point Therapy
There are many approaches to trigger point therapy but here are the common two most therapist practices.
Manual therapy for Trigger Points:
The physiotherapist applies pressure to the area till the knot releases the waste. If you find a nodule or knot on your body, you can apply pressure for 30 seconds to release the pain. A severe condition may require more time for the method to work. Some people use a ball to release the tiger point. You can also refer to this technique as ischemic pressure. The method aims to increase blood flow by drawing it back and allowing it to rush through the area with new nutrients.
Myofascial Dry Needling
The dry needling method is being practiced worldwide. The technique is the common method for releasing trigger points. The therapist uses an acupuncture needle to twitch, contract, and relax the muscle, releasing the contraction on the muscle tissue. In addition, the technique helps the nervous system desensitize to the pain, leading to reduced or no pain after treatment. In addition, the method increases blood flow to the affected area to supply new nutrients to the area.
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