Trigger Points (Knots)
What are trigger points (TPs)?
A trigger point is simply a small contraction knot in muscle. This knot feels like a pea buried deep in the muscle, and can feel as big as a thumb. It maintains a hard contraction on the muscle fibres connected to it, thus causing a tight band that can also be felt in the muscle. These trigger points in muscles and in the thin wrapping around each muscle [called fascia] are called myofascial trigger points. Trigger points can also occur in other soft tissues such as skin, ligaments, tendons, and also in scar tissue.
A trigger point is simply a small contraction knot in muscle. This knot feels like a pea buried deep in the muscle, and can feel as big as a thumb. It maintains a hard contraction on the muscle fibres connected to it, thus causing a tight band that can also be felt in the muscle. These trigger points in muscles and in the thin wrapping around each muscle [called fascia] are called myofascial trigger points. Trigger points can also occur in other soft tissues such as skin, ligaments, tendons, and also in scar tissue.
Are Trigger Points the same as a muscle spasm, strain or tear?
No, a Trigger Point is not the same thing as a muscle spasm. A spasm involves a violent contraction of the whole muscle, whereas a Trigger Point is contraction in only a small part of a muscle. A strain or tear involves physical damage to the muscle or tendon fibres.
Why are they called trigger points?
Pulling the trigger of a gun makes a noise in the gun but it also sends out a bullet that causes pain at a distant target site. Pressing firmly on a muscle Trigger Point hurts right where you are pressing, making you jump, wince and pull away. But, more importantly, Trigger Points also send ['refer'] pain or tenderness, sometimes quite far away. So, for example, a headache may not be caused by a problem in the head itself, but have been sent to the head from a Trigger Point on the side of the neck. Never assume the problem is at the place that hurts.
What does this referred pain feel like?
The referred pain caused by Trigger Points is usually steady, dull and aching, often deep. It may occur at rest, or only on movement. It varies from being a low-grade discomfort to being severe.
Are Trigger Points common?
Myofascial trigger points are among the most common, yet poorly recognised and inadequately managed, causes of musculoskeletal pain seen in medical practice. Unfortunately, many general practitioners and orthopaedic surgeons do not know about Trigger Points, and since they do not show on X-Rays or scans, the patient may be told there is nothing wrong with them or that there is nothing that can be done to help fix their pain.
What common conditions are thought to be caused by referred pain? Trigger Points are known to cause or contribute to headaches, neck and jaw pain, low back pain, sciatica, many kinds of joint pain, tendonitis, bursitis, or ligament injury.
How does massage work to get rid of trigger points?
To treat trigger points, massage therapists use a term called Ischemic Compression. Ischemia means a lack of blood supply, with associated tissue irritation and congestion. The purpose of ischemic compression is to deliberately increase the blockage of blood to an area so that, upon release, there will be a surge of blood. This washes away waste products and supplies necessary oxygen to help the affected tissue heal. This increase of blood flow to the area is called a hyperemia and is usually a noticable reddened area on the skin, that may be warm to the touch.
No, a Trigger Point is not the same thing as a muscle spasm. A spasm involves a violent contraction of the whole muscle, whereas a Trigger Point is contraction in only a small part of a muscle. A strain or tear involves physical damage to the muscle or tendon fibres.
Why are they called trigger points?
Pulling the trigger of a gun makes a noise in the gun but it also sends out a bullet that causes pain at a distant target site. Pressing firmly on a muscle Trigger Point hurts right where you are pressing, making you jump, wince and pull away. But, more importantly, Trigger Points also send ['refer'] pain or tenderness, sometimes quite far away. So, for example, a headache may not be caused by a problem in the head itself, but have been sent to the head from a Trigger Point on the side of the neck. Never assume the problem is at the place that hurts.
What does this referred pain feel like?
The referred pain caused by Trigger Points is usually steady, dull and aching, often deep. It may occur at rest, or only on movement. It varies from being a low-grade discomfort to being severe.
Are Trigger Points common?
Myofascial trigger points are among the most common, yet poorly recognised and inadequately managed, causes of musculoskeletal pain seen in medical practice. Unfortunately, many general practitioners and orthopaedic surgeons do not know about Trigger Points, and since they do not show on X-Rays or scans, the patient may be told there is nothing wrong with them or that there is nothing that can be done to help fix their pain.
What common conditions are thought to be caused by referred pain? Trigger Points are known to cause or contribute to headaches, neck and jaw pain, low back pain, sciatica, many kinds of joint pain, tendonitis, bursitis, or ligament injury.
How does massage work to get rid of trigger points?
To treat trigger points, massage therapists use a term called Ischemic Compression. Ischemia means a lack of blood supply, with associated tissue irritation and congestion. The purpose of ischemic compression is to deliberately increase the blockage of blood to an area so that, upon release, there will be a surge of blood. This washes away waste products and supplies necessary oxygen to help the affected tissue heal. This increase of blood flow to the area is called a hyperemia and is usually a noticable reddened area on the skin, that may be warm to the touch.
