It’s quite common to experience muscle pain at some point in life, whether it’s the result of a rigorous tennis session or poor posture leading to stiffness in the neck. Although the pain syndrome may dissipate over time in most cases, it may continue to cause discomfort in others.
After ruling out causes such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, or tendinitis, medical professionals may diagnose the presence of a trigger point as the culprit for muscular ailments. Despite a lack of concrete scientific evidence, physiotherapists, chiropractors, and osteopaths recognize the phenomenon and apply their knowledge to alleviate patient discomfort.
Trigger Point Release Massage Technique
A trigger point release massage, also referred to as a “knot” in a skeletal muscle, is a detectable nodule that everyone, from babies to adults, can have without necessarily experiencing pain.
Several factors can contribute to trigger point irritability, including aging, injury, lack of exercise, muscle overuse, poor posture, sleep disturbance, and vitamin deficiencies (such as C, D, B, or iron). As a result of these causes, individuals may experience various types of pain, including tinnitus, muscle spasms, lower back pain, headaches, cramps, and more.
Due to the diffuse nature of this pain, it can sometimes be challenging to identify its source. This is where the concept of trigger points becomes valuable: pain that is difficult to explain often radiates from these tender points to a broader area, sometimes even far from the trigger point itself. When pressure is applied to this point, it elicits an unpleasant reaction from the patient, allowing medical practitioners to diagnose the condition.
Trigger Point Release Massage in Practice
There are a variety of methods available for releasing trigger points, including manual, invasive, and technical options. However, for self-treatment, which is crucial, two main methods are used: manual trigger point massage using the thumb and massage with tools.
A massage ball can also be used to perform a trigger point massage. The primary difference is that the trigger point contact area is more extensive with the ball, resulting in less pain when compared to smaller massage tools. While this may not reach the deeper layers of the fascia and the actual trigger point, it is a good option for those new to trigger point massage or sensitive to pain.
In terms of preventive measures for a one-time trigger point treatment, a superficial massage with a massage ball can be performed to prepare the tissue for the next local treatment.
Trigger Point Release Massage Benefits
- Massages stimulate the body’s trigger points, which can help to reduce muscle tension and relieve pain and stiffness around fascia trigger points.
- Myofascial release massage, which is commonly used in massages, can help to reduce muscle tension, relieve pain and stiffness, and promote relaxation.
- Myofascial massage can be used as part of a workout routine, targeting key trigger points based on the state of the muscles before and after the session.
- Myofascial massage can help the muscles return to their original state and facilitate their development and recovery after training.
BME. Wajih Habrah
I'm a passionate biomedical engineer with a love for writing about medical and wellness equipment. I have been fascinated by the intersection of engineering and wellness, and pursued my education in biomedical engineering to learn how to design, develop and maintain medical devices that improve patient health and well-being.
