What Are Trigger Points?
Trigger points are sensitive knots within a muscle that can cause a variety of uncomfortable and even debilitating feelings. You can find trigger points anywhere in the body, although often you may see the following areas affected:
- neck,
- shoulders,
- glutes,
- calf muscles.
An excessive muscle overload usually triggers them via repeated physical activity or a single heavy movement, such as lifting a heavy object. How do trigger points appear? During the above activities, the muscle fibers bunch together and stay in such a state. After the load, some of them may remain in such a state, creating knots (trigger points).
Types of trigger points:
- Active (usually painful even when not touched).
- Latent (not painful until you touch it, but it may cause pain in another area when pressed). If you have one, it may become active in the future.
- Satellite (an area where the pain is referred to).
The main causes of trigger points are lack of nutrients, overuse of the muscle, and injuries.
How Can Trigger Point Therapy Help
Trigger Point Therapy’s (TPT) aim is to help relieve muscle pain and tension. It reduces acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain and imbalance. The body can undergo a healing process through sustained pressure on the tissue to help restore the muscles.
It is important to know how to diagnose a trigger point at home in order to know if TPT is the right option for you. First of all, the knot should be located in the muscle. Only if this is true we can talk about the trigger point. If you press on it, you can feel dull radiating pain, and when you use your muscles, the pain becomes stronger.
How Do We Treat Trigger Points
At South Barrie Health Group, we use manual pressure, specific devices, and other tools to help relax those points and restore normal movement. It also reduces the risk of further damage, lessens pain, and improves mobility. The pressure is applied strongly but gently to “release” stress in the problematic area.
The therapists involved, understand the mechanic of an overload muscle of thousands of fibers. Therefore, they can recommend therapies to reduce localized stiffness, tension, restore normal movement, relieve pain, and prevent further tissue damage.
In most cases, treatment includes dry needling and manual therapy. A technique may also be used which involves contracting a muscle to make its opposite relax. Our physiotherapist may also apply muscle stretching, heat, range of motion techniques, or massage therapy.
How Will Your Treatment Session Look Like
It is best to wear comfortable workout clothing, supportive shoes, and to stay hydrated to prepare for a TPT session. When arriving for your initial consultation, you will have to answer the patient history questionnaire and undergo a physical examination. Both of these will help our physiotherapist make a conclusion about your condition and create a recovery plan.
Any Questions Left?
Take control of your pain and experience relief with South Barrie Health Group. Don’t let trigger points limit your daily activities any longer. Schedule your appointment now and embark on a journey towards restored mobility and enhanced well-being. Together, we can help you live a pain-free life.
