Trigger Points and Myofascial Release Therapy

Myofascial Myofascial Release Therapy aims at addressing the source of pain. It focuses on decreasing pain and restore motion by relaxing the tightness and tension in the trigger points.

Trigger Points

The inside of the human body is covered with soft tissue, which is also called fascia. It covers all bodily structures including organs, nerves, muscles and blood vessels. Myofascia is the fascia that covers the muscles and, when stressed from overuse or trauma, this myofascia can tear and adhere together. These adhesions are known as trigger points and can prevent the muscles from functioning properly. Trigger points lead to a decrease in range of motion and to an increase of tenderness and stiffness in the muscles. Additionally, physical discomfort caused by trigger points can radiate. The result is a phenomenon called referred pain, that is pain felt in a part of the body different from the actual source. A trigger point itself is not always painful, and it is therefore often difficult for therapists to locate the true source of the pain.

Myofascial Release Therapy

Myofascial Release Therapy aims at addressing the source of pain. It focuses on decreasing pain and restore motion by relaxing the tightness and tension in the trigger points. As mentioned before, finding the trigger point is often difficult and that is why Myofascial Release Therapy is usually used over a wider area of tissue and muscle rather than being applied at a single point. Myofascial Release Therapy is normally given during a massage application provided by an experienced and professional massage therapist.

Myofascial Release Therapy and How It Works

Your professional therapist will carefully massage the myofascia detecting areas that are tightened or stiff – intact myofascia usually feels elastic and flexible. Areas the therapist finds to cause problems, will be massaged with gentle pressure. This process on the corresponding trigger point or trigger points is performed again and again until the tension is completely released.

It is possible that your therapist does not work on the areas that are most painful to you. Myofascial Release Therapy works the wider system of muscles that cause you pain. The idea is to get rid of tension throughout the body by working on trigger points across the human muscular system.

Who Benefits from Myofascial Release Therapy?

It is an excellent massage therapy for people who suffer from myofascial pain, but also people who frequently struggle with migraine and headache tension can benefit from Myofascial Release Therapy. Upper as well as lower back pain and joint pain can be caused by trigger points in the abdomen or hips. People suffering from these problems might consider Myofascial Release Therapy too. If you have experienced such issues or you are interested in knowing more about Myofascial Release Therapy and how you can benefit from it, please contact me.