Myofascial Trigger Points
Imagine this: you feel a deep,
spreading pain at your right shoulder. It feels better after a good
night’s rest, but as your day progresses, the knot-like feeling
creeps up on you without invitation. The pain is sometimes very
intense and sometimes moderate. And you note that sometimes it travels
to different areas of your body.  What
are trigger points?
These annoying little knots in our muscles and connective tissues
are called myofascial trigger points. The “myo” part of the word
means muscle and “fascial” refers to the elastic, connective tissue
that runs throughout the body. There are two basic types of trigger
points: active and latent. Latent trigger points don’t cause pain
except when pressed. When latent trigger points become triggered
and awakened by stress or injury, they become active. Active trigger
points radiate (or refer) pain from muscle or fascia in a characteristic
pattern. For example, trigger points in the shoulders often send
pain and tension throughout the shoulders and up into the lower
neck. Likewise, trigger points in your buttocks can refer pain
down the leg just as in sciatica.
Massage Can Help
Two doctors, Dr. Janet Travell and Dr.
David Simons, revolutionized our understanding
of trigger points. They mapped
out the entire body and standardized a pain
referral pattern for each muscle. Trigger
points usually follow these maps, though
some people have unusual pain patterns.
In either case, deep breathing, stretching,
applications of heat or cold, and massage
can help.
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Techniques to Relieve Pain
Myofascial trigger points
can keep people from going about the daily activities of life.
The good news is massage therapists are trained to prevent and
reduce these knots and the pain that accompanies them. One of
the most effective treatments that therapeutic massage utilizes
with trigger points is called “ischemic compression.” After locating
the trigger point, the therapist applies direct pressure, producing
pain within your comfort level. You may feel the pain locally
or you may feel it radiate and travel away from the area being
pressed.
 Your
therapist may instruct you to breathe deeply, consciously relaxing
the area being pressed until the pain subsides. Next, the pressure
may be slowly increased until the pain returns. This process may
be repeated, followed by other massage techniques and hydrotherapy
such as moist heat or ice massage.
Many people needlessly suffer pain
for years without the knowledge that a few focused sessions in
trigger point therapy can resolve their problem. That said, there
is an old saying, “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get
what you’ve always had.” Therefore, to ensure that your trigger
points stay away, consider adding stretches, moderate exercise
and relaxation to your daily habits.
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Yoga for Your Hands
Each month we'll be featuring
new healing mudras so you can learn movements that are meant to
bring you health, wealth, balance, success, and happiness. Mudras
are easy yoga movements that involve only the arms and hands.
Practice these ancient healing motions to enrich your life in
as little as 3 minutes a day.
 Mudra for Happiness
The power of this mudra has great effect on your state of mind
and helps you feel joyful. Sit comfortably with your spine straight.
Curl the ring and small fingers pressing them into your palms
with your thumbs. Keep the first two fingers pointing up. Your
breath should be controlled, long, and deep while you concentrate
on your inner spirit. With regular practice of this mudra, you
can be happy and provide a positive example to others.
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Birthday Bucks are Back
At the beginning of each month,
we will send out discounts for everyone having a birthday in that
month. Is your birthday coming up? Make sure we have your correct
email address on file so you will receive your discount coupons.
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Shiatsu Self Massage
Do
you have difficulty concentrating? Try this Shiatsu massage technique
to gain a clear mind. Shiatsu is an ancient Japanese art based on
the same philosophy as Accupuncture. Your energy channels can be
stimulated by finger pressure. The red colored dots represent the
approximate location of the pressure points used to improve your
creativity and focus.
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Reflexology: Therapy Through
the Feet
Pressure points on the feet correspond
to parts of the body. By manipulating these points, reflexology
can help heal those areas that are sore or injured.
The following article was featured
in Delaware Woman Magazine and authored by Sheri Rehwoldt.
 So
here I am, lying on a massage table in a darkened room, feeling
silly. I’m completely dressed, but I’ve removed my socks and shoes,
as requested. I’m here to experience reflexology. Like most first-timers,
I’m skeptical that a half-hour of foot manipulation will magically
rejuvenate not just my feet, but my entire body.
Terry Meyer, owner of Massage and Reflexology of Delaware, is
doing her best to put me at ease. Giving me a moment to settle,
she selects some serene music and closes the door to her private
massage room, shutting out the world. We’re cocooned within a
temporary oasis. It’s pleasantly decorated with rugs, plants and
heavy blinds that filter out the sunlight. The flickering candles
are a nice touch.
Read the full story
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Quote of the Month
"If we study the lives
of great men and women carefully and unemotionally we find that,
invariably, greatness was developed, tested and revealed through
the darker periods of their lives. One of the largest tributaries
of the RIVER OF GREATNESS is always the STREAM OF ADVERSITY."
—Cavett Robert |
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