Many pain conditions misdiagnosed as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, tendonitis, sciatic symptoms or angina pectoris can actually be traced to trigger points. Make sure you get the right diagnosis and be treated properly with trigger point massage therapy in Atlanta GA.
Trigger points are painful contracted nodules in tight bands of muscles that radiate pain. Aside from localized pain, these trigger points also refer pain to other points in the body, often some distance away.
Trigger points were discovered by Dr. Janet G. Travell in 1942. Dr. Travell, who was US President John F. Kennedy’s personal physician, and who had successfully treated his chronic back pain, mapped out these trigger points and published several papers and books on their treatment.
There are active and latent trigger points, key and satellite trigger points, and primary and secondary trigger points.
An active trigger point is painful when pressed and actively refers pain to another point in the body. A latent trigger point is a nodule that may not be painful and does not actively refer pain to any other body part. It could, however, be activated at any time by pressure or strain. It also has an effect on muscle activation and may cause poor coordination and balance. Deactivating a trigger point only makes it latent. Complete resolution should, therefore, be the goal.
A key trigger point refers pain that activates a latent trigger point. A key trigger point may also refer pain that creates a new latent trigger point. A satellite trigger point is a latent trigger point that has been activated by a key trigger point. When the key trigger point is deactivated, the satellite is often deactivated, too. When the key trigger point is completely resolved, the satellite is often resolved, too.
A primary trigger point activates a secondary trigger point biomechanically and not through referred pain. Deactivation and even resolution of the primary trigger point has no effect on the secondary trigger point.
According to Dr. Travell, trigger points are not caused by trauma, inflammation, degeneration, neoplasm or infection. They also cannot be explained by neurological examinations. If any of these characteristics are present, trigger points should, therefore, be ruled out and other causes of pain should be sought.
For true trigger point pain, properly trained therapists can apply trigger point massage therapy, also called myotherapy. The specific trigger points of the individual are identified and deactivated and completely resolved through deep prolonged pressure. Once the trigger points are deactivated, the muscles and fascia involved are stretched, elongated and relaxed through their natural range of motion in order to prevent recurring contraction and the development of new trigger points.
Aside from the therapist’s hands, elbows, feet and various tools may be used to apply strong pressure on trigger points. It is very important to consult only a trained trigger point massage therapist because if the pressure on the trigger point is not enough or not maintained long enough, it will not be deactivated. On the other hand, if the pressure is too much or left too long, the point may get bruised, resulting in even more pain. Furthermore, an unskilled therapist may even create new trigger points or activate latent ones.
Other complementary therapies to trigger point massage therapy may include mechanical vibration, electrical stimulation, pulsed ultrasound, spray-and-stretch technique with the use of a coolant spray, low level laser therapy, dry needling and injections of pain relievers.
Even after your trigger points have been resolved, you are always in danger of developing new ones. Make sure you prevent this from happening by buying therapeutic massage gift cards for various massage therapy services such as deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, sports massage or, if necessary, pregnancy massage, in Lenox Mall, Buckhead and Atlanta, GA.