I am now into my third year in massage. I have worked on numerous people with the same common ailments...stress and muscular pain. It boggles my mind that I am able, in most cases, to feel where the pain places are. It even amazes some of my clients. :-) They ask me "you can feel that?"
When I was first starting massage school and beginning the technique section, I was so worried that the tight bands of muscle would elude me. I just knew that my hands were too old and not sensitive enough to feel where the problems were. I still sometimes ask myself how do I do this. If I had to give an answer to that question, I would have to say it is some power higher than I am. I believe that I am purposely guided to the spots.
I don't know if I deserve that guidance, but I don't believe I do this on my own. There has to be help for the fixes I have seen in my clients. I can't fix everything, but the ones that work are such a blessing. When my skills are used to take away pain from the clients in my care, I still get tears of joy in my eyes.
Showing posts with label trigger point. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trigger point. Show all posts
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Trigger point massage: What is it? - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser
"Trigger Points are accumulations of waste products around a nerve receptor. Often times they feel like nodules or taut bands of fibers within the soft tissues. Trigger points form in muscles which have been overused or injured due to an accident or surgery.
Common characteristics are increased muscle tension and muscle shortening. Increased muscle tension is the primary side effect of trigger points and pain is the most common secondary effect. Trigger points can present themselves as referred patterns of sensation such as sharp pain, dull ache, tingling, pins and needles, hot or cold, as well as can create symptoms such as nausea, ear ache, equilibrium disturbance, or blurred vision.
Trigger points can exist in two states, either active or latent. Active trigger points are those which cause discomfort. Latent trigger points wait silently in the muscle for a future stress to activate them. Aches and pains which began in the past become more frequent and severe in intensity as we age. It is common to attribute this discomfort to arthritis instead of our tight muscles which harbor trigger points.
Trigger points are not visible with traditional medical testing such as MRI or X-ray. 80 percent of the trigger point locations are common with acupuncture treatment locations. When trigger points are not treated, they will create satellite trigger points in the affected area. For instance, a trigger point in the trapezius may cause a trigger point to appear in the temple. The trigger point in the temple then may cause a trigger point to appear in the jaw and can contribute to a case of TMJ."
"A trigger point may feel like a hard lump, knot or band in the muscle. Or you may experience broad muscle soreness. Applying pressure to the muscle almost always alleviates pain, even though the pressure itself can be somewhat uncomfortable when applied. If you do not experience immediate results, try applying deeper pressure for a longer time and to the muscles surrounding the most affected area.
To diffuse a trigger point, static compression (pressure) is applied for 10 seconds, released, then pressure applied for 10 more seconds in a pumping action while the client breathes deeply. This action flushes the toxins and calms the nerves. (see pictures on right showing treatment of a stiff neck and as part of a Sports Massage for a runner). Releasing trigger points releases endorphins so the result is elimination of discomfort as well as being energized.
Trigger point massage is not a relaxing, 'fluff and buff' technique. It requires the participation of the client to communicate the presence and intensity of pain and discomfort. The therapist and client work together as a team to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment."
Common characteristics are increased muscle tension and muscle shortening. Increased muscle tension is the primary side effect of trigger points and pain is the most common secondary effect. Trigger points can present themselves as referred patterns of sensation such as sharp pain, dull ache, tingling, pins and needles, hot or cold, as well as can create symptoms such as nausea, ear ache, equilibrium disturbance, or blurred vision.
Trigger points can exist in two states, either active or latent. Active trigger points are those which cause discomfort. Latent trigger points wait silently in the muscle for a future stress to activate them. Aches and pains which began in the past become more frequent and severe in intensity as we age. It is common to attribute this discomfort to arthritis instead of our tight muscles which harbor trigger points.
Trigger points are not visible with traditional medical testing such as MRI or X-ray. 80 percent of the trigger point locations are common with acupuncture treatment locations. When trigger points are not treated, they will create satellite trigger points in the affected area. For instance, a trigger point in the trapezius may cause a trigger point to appear in the temple. The trigger point in the temple then may cause a trigger point to appear in the jaw and can contribute to a case of TMJ."
"A trigger point may feel like a hard lump, knot or band in the muscle. Or you may experience broad muscle soreness. Applying pressure to the muscle almost always alleviates pain, even though the pressure itself can be somewhat uncomfortable when applied. If you do not experience immediate results, try applying deeper pressure for a longer time and to the muscles surrounding the most affected area.
To diffuse a trigger point, static compression (pressure) is applied for 10 seconds, released, then pressure applied for 10 more seconds in a pumping action while the client breathes deeply. This action flushes the toxins and calms the nerves. (see pictures on right showing treatment of a stiff neck and as part of a Sports Massage for a runner). Releasing trigger points releases endorphins so the result is elimination of discomfort as well as being energized.
Trigger point massage is not a relaxing, 'fluff and buff' technique. It requires the participation of the client to communicate the presence and intensity of pain and discomfort. The therapist and client work together as a team to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment."
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Treat for The Body
I have done several different types of massage.
Relaxation massage is basically strokes done lightly on the skin with the main purpose of soothing and relaxing the body. This type of massage lends itself to putting the clients in a restful state, sometimes giving way to snoring.
Snoring is truly a compliment to a massage therapist. You are showing that you trust them, that they are making you relax, that you feel good enough to sleep. I love that so much.
Deep Tissue massage uses many of the same strokes as relaxation, but they have a more therapeutic nature. Knots that plague much of the population because of stress, because of overused muscles, because of bad posture, because of computer use, or even because of sleeping wrong can all be made more comfortable or even fixed by Deep Tissue massage.
I have felt knots melt away under my touch and it makes me so very happy to know I helped another human being get better than they were before they came to see me.
Triggerpoint massage makes stubborn knots easier to disperse.
I will be explaining the methodology behind these types of strokes later.
When will American's come to massage? I wish I knew.
Stay tuned.
Relaxation massage is basically strokes done lightly on the skin with the main purpose of soothing and relaxing the body. This type of massage lends itself to putting the clients in a restful state, sometimes giving way to snoring.
Snoring is truly a compliment to a massage therapist. You are showing that you trust them, that they are making you relax, that you feel good enough to sleep. I love that so much.
Deep Tissue massage uses many of the same strokes as relaxation, but they have a more therapeutic nature. Knots that plague much of the population because of stress, because of overused muscles, because of bad posture, because of computer use, or even because of sleeping wrong can all be made more comfortable or even fixed by Deep Tissue massage.
I have felt knots melt away under my touch and it makes me so very happy to know I helped another human being get better than they were before they came to see me.
Triggerpoint massage makes stubborn knots easier to disperse.
I will be explaining the methodology behind these types of strokes later.
When will American's come to massage? I wish I knew.
Stay tuned.
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