What are Trigger points?
Trigger points (also known as pressure points) are areas in the body where the original source of pain in your body stems from. A trigger point on your back could be causing you shoulder pain, therefore targeting the trigger point on your back will treat the shoulder pain for example. One of our highly skilled and trained massage therapists will be able to find your trigger point. Therefore finding the root cause of any pain.
What is myofascial pain?
Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic pain disorder caused by having too many trigger points. There are different types of trigger point massage that can help with myofascial release such as cupping therapy and acupuncture. Treating seemingly unrelated parts of your body may seem unusual at first but getting to the root cause of the problem is essential in treating any myofascial pain.
Symptoms of myofascial pain include:
- Persistent aching muscle pain
- A tender painful knot
- Difficulty doing everyday tasks
Myofascial pain can be extremely uncomfortable and debilitating. You may need regular trigger point massage, GP visits, and medication to treat the pain.
What to expect from a trigger point massage
Your massage therapist will place firm pressure on your trigger point to treat the root cause of your pain. You may find trigger point massage to be uncomfortable, relieving, or both. Many people find the initial discomfort of massaging the trigger point to be well worth the effective and lasting healing outcomes. Our qualified and experienced massage therapists know how to apply enough pressure to the trigger point without overstimulating it.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments needed from person to person will differ depending on the varying levels of pain and muscle damage. Severe and chronic conditions tend to need more regular trigger point sessions than less severe conditions. If you’re muscle pain is caught and treated early, you have a better chance of healing faster.
What causes trigger points?
Muscle strain from overuse of a muscle, muscle injury, metabolic disease, and psychological stress are common causes of trigger points appearing in the body. It’s thought that athletes are at an increased risk of causing muscle tears and injuries and may therefore be at a higher risk of developing trigger points. If you book a regular massage and notice that certain areas suddenly appear more sensitive or painful, it’s important to inform your therapist as you may have a latent trigger point. Treating latent trigger points early on can prevent them from developing into active trigger points and should therefore not be ignored.
We have a massage clinic in both Leeds and Wakefield and offer all our clients a full consultation before starting any treatment. If you do suffer from chronic myofascial pain, then we suggest discussing massage therapy as a possible treatment option with your doctor first.