What is trigger point therapy?
As the name suggests, trigger point therapy involves working with what are known as “trigger points.” Trigger points are these points on the body, which are often locally noticeable and very sensitive to pressure are. They appear, when palpated, as a hard strand or knot. The pain triggered by the trigger point can vary in intensity. Literally, trigger means (from the English) “triggers” and if one treats these body parts, respectively presses and massages them specifically, symptoms can be significantly alleviated. It is used by active, latent and associated trigger points which – if they are “tense” – can severely impair the quality of life.
Active trigger points hurt without being pressed and are very sensitive and damaging to muscles. Latent trigger points only hurt when you press on them, and associated Associated trigger points are caused by trigger points of adjacent muscles. For example, one trigger point in the neck may trigger another between the shoulder blades.
When a trigger point is felt, the patient often does not directly know the connection to the pain, because the location of the trigger point and the location of the pain may be far apart. In trigger point therapy, the Trigger points massagedbecause these can be responsible for dysfunctions in the musculoskeletal system and can be the cause of acute and/or chronic pain.
When and how is trigger point therapy used?
Trigger point therapy is used, for example with muscle hardenings, tensions or hardenings which cause pain or stiffness in the patients. We have also used trigger point therapy with patients who suffer from headaches, migraines, shoulder, arm, leg, foot and back pain, as well as pain in the hip, pelvic and lumbar spine muscles. successfully applied.
Tensions can be worked on particularly well by this form of therapy and occur due to permanent respectively or long-term incorrect or overloads on. They cause blood circulation to deteriorate, which is felt as pain. These, in turn, produce more pain because the pain causes the body to tense up even more. Such a “Pain spiral” can be broken by trigger point therapy. Because the aforementioned complaints quickly become chronic, should necessarily early physiotherapeutic intervention.
Different therapy methods are used to release the trigger points:
Manual treatment
The therapist manually applies special hand movements and applies pressure to the trigger points. Sometimes certain tools such as massage sticks are needed to apply more pressure. The goal of this treatment is to relax and expand muscle tissue, which in turn relieves tension. Finally, the pain region is massaged.
Dry needling
The therapist works here with so-called “dry needling” and sticks an acupuncture needle into the trigger point. As with manual therapy, the goal is to relax the muscles and relieve inflammation.
Shock wave therapy
In this form of therapy, the therapist uses shock waves to treat trigger points. The shock waves are thereby bundled and delivered to these points. This form of therapy is recommended for large area or deep-seated pain that is difficult to reach with manual therapy or dry needling.
Attention: Trigger point therapy helps many patients, but not all. Before it is used, especially for patients with chronic pain, a medical professional should be consulted first to rule out serious causes.