Download Trigger Point Therapy Definition: “a hyperirritable spot, usually within

Trigger Point Therapy
Definition: “a hyperirritable spot, usually within a taut band of skeletal muscle or
in the muscleʼs fascia, that is painful on compression and that can give rise to
characteristic referred pain, tenderness and autonomic phenomena.” TRAVELL
Active trigger point
- a trigger point that is always tender, that refers pain at rest, that is very painful
when compressed and that will activate a characteristic twitch response in the
muscle when adequately stimulated.
Latent trigger point
- a “hidden” trigger point that is symptomatically pain free until palpated. It may
still be responsible for referred pain or autonomic phenomena.
Satellite
- this is a trigger point that becomes active because it lies in muscle that falls
within the referral pattern of another trigger point. Successful resolution of the
satellite trigger point will only happen when the primary is released.
Secondary
- this is a trigger point that becomes active because a synergist or antagonist
muscle to that of the primary trigger point is overloaded due to presence of
the primary active trigger point
Referred pain
- pain that is caused by trigger point but is felt a distance away from the trigger
point.
Characteristics of a Trigger Point:
Trigger points can present themselves as sharp pain, dull ache, tingling, pins and
needles, hot or cold, as well as create symptoms such as nausea. Common
characteristics are increased muscle tension and muscle shortening.
- acute pain when pressed
- localised pain or a referred pain e.g. trigger point in the thigh can cause knee
pain
- restricted movement
- throbbing or dull consistent pain
- lack of flexibility
- weakness in muscle
- join pain
- hard knot or marble like shape
Causes:
- sudden trauma to musculoskeletal tissue; muscles, ligaments, tendons,
bursae
- injury to intervertebral discs
- repetitive motions; excessive exercise and muscle strains due to over activity
-
lack of activity (seated or standing postural stresses); sitting at the computer
or a broken arm in a sling
- nervous tension and stress
- chilling of areas of the body; sitting under air conditioning duct
- virus
- systemic factors; nutritional deficiencies
“Even a slight compromise of a muscleʼs energy supply or of its energy enzyme
systems will perpetuate trigger points.” SIMONS
Trigger Point Therapy Benefits:
Benefits of Trigger Point Therapy are amazing and the list is long.
Just to name a few:
- relieve headaches
- alleviate neck and back pain
- increase flexibility
- increase range of movement
- release muscle tension
- relieve joint and muscle pain
- injury prevention
Releasing Trigger Points:
Static compression (pressure) is applied while the client breathes deeply.
- digital ischemic compression (D.I.C.)
- PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation)
The action flushes the toxins and calms the nerves. Releasing trigger points
releases endorphins so the result is elimination of discomfort as well as being
energised.
Trigger Point Therapy is not relaxing, “fluff and buffʼ technique. It requires the
participation of the client to communicate the presence and intensity of pain and
discomfort on a scale of 1-10. The therapist and client work together as a team to
maximise the effectiveness of the treatment.
It is common to find great improvement after one treatment. Repeated treatment
may be necessary for those with chronic trigger points. (Three sessions in ten
days with two or three days wrest in between sessions is usually recommended,
then weekly, fortnightly etc.)
Recommended Reading:
Myofacial Pain and Dysfunction – The Trigger Point Manual by Janet Travell MD
& David Simons MD.