What is Trigger Point Therapy?

Trigger point therapy is a form of massage therapy designed to release stabbing muscle pains which can occur at various points in the body called trigger points. Trigger point therapy was first published by Dr. Janet G. Travell as her research in 1942. Her use of trigger point therapy to treat President John Kennedy’s back pain was so successful she was appointed as his personal physician. Trigger point therapy is one of the most intriguing and fastest-growing bodywork styles in the world. Medical doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapists are all beginning to use this technique to relieve formerly undiagnosable muscle and joint pain—conditions that studies have shown to be the cause of nearly 25 percent of all doctor visits.

Commonly trigger points are known as knots in center section of the muscle that when pressed on, refers pain to a specific point in the body. Trigger points are knots that are in a constant state of contraction. Normal massage strokes will not release a trigger point. The therapist has to use direct pressure on the trigger point to interrupt the nerve impulse that is causing the muscle contraction, because the therapy aims to eliminate painful areas, rather than treating surface tension or inflammation.

Trigger point therapy heals faster when you get sports injury, because the deep kneading will get the kink out of your muscles faster. Commonly the therapist will integrate some of massage techniques, such as sport massages, Swedish massage in trigger point therapy to relax and soothe the muscle and nerve, as well as better your mood and incorporate aromatherapy components into the therapy sessions as well.

To reduce the occurrence of contractions in muscles that can cause cramping or swelling, the therapist will compress the muscles. Furthermore, additional massages spas in therapy will also help the recovery and relieve pain.

We have additional information on this subject you may be interested in reading: Sport Massage Therapy,  Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Trigger Point Massage.