| er point therapy is a treatment that has helped many | | | | 1. Active trigger points – These points result in |
| people who suffer from fibromyalgia. It is an | | | | pain when they are pressed, but do not cause pain in |
| impressive therapy that effectively reduces trigger | | | | other parts of the body. |
| point pain. Trigger point therapy is used to relieve | | | | 2. Latent trigger points – These points result in |
| pain, and is a massage treatment that is frequently | | | | pain when they are pressed but can also cause pain |
| used to treat a variety of conditions including sports | | | | in other parts of the body. For example, a trigger |
| injuries, repetitive strain injury, accident trauma, | | | | point in the neck may cause pain in the back when |
| myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia. | | | | pressed. |
| Trigger point therapy is also known as myotherapy | | | | If trigger points are not looked after, they can |
| or myofascial trigger point therapy. It was established | | | | develop into satellite trigger points, the term given to |
| in the United States during the 1940’s by Dr. | | | | trigger points that have spread from the original |
| Janet Travell. | | | | source. Satellite trigger points evolve into more painful |
| What is trigger point therapy? | | | | symptoms. |
| Trigger point therapy is a technique that applies | | | | How can trigger point therapy help fibromyalgia? |
| pressure through touch to sensitive muscle tissue | | | | Trigger point therapy has been proven to be very |
| known as trigger points. Pressure is applied by | | | | beneficial for fibromyalgia sufferers. Fibromyalgia is a |
| fingers, knuckles or elbows and is maintained for up | | | | disease that causes various tender areas in the body. |
| to 10 seconds and released. Pressure is then reapplied | | | | These sensitive spots often cause muscle stiffness, |
| in a pumping motion for another 30 seconds and | | | | pain and other discomforts. This is why trigger point |
| released. After this treatment, the muscles are then | | | | therapy is usually a successful treatment for those |
| stretched to improve flexibility. | | | | with fibromyalgia, because the treatment helps to |
| The purpose of the therapy is to alleviate pain and | | | | eliminate the tender areas and the resulting |
| dysfunction in other areas of the body, and improve | | | | symptoms. The following is how trigger point therapy |
| muscular flexibility. Trigger point therapy is able to | | | | works to help fibromyalgia sufferers: |
| effectively reduce pain because the pressure that is | | | | • Decreases the stiffness in muscles |
| applied during treatment increases blood flow to the | | | | • Improves motion range and flexibility |
| targeted area. As a result, oxygen and nutrients can | | | | • Encourages circulation to allow the body to |
| freely flow to the spot and work to heal the muscle. | | | | heal |
| Furthermore, the applied pressure stimulates the | | | | • Reduces anxiety and depression |
| body to release endorphins (natural painkillers) to help | | | | Trigger point therapy should only be performed by a |
| reduce pain. | | | | qualified therapist who has previous experience with |
| What are trigger points? | | | | treating fibromyalgia. Furthermore, it’s a good |
| Trigger points are the areas of your body that are | | | | idea to tell the therapist the exact location where |
| extremely sensitive. Usually when they are touched, | | | | you are feeling pain, so that they can focus the |
| trigger points are painful, increase stiffness in muscles | | | | therapy on these particular points to provide you |
| and limit motion. A trigger point will feel like a tight | | | | with the best relief. |
| knot in the soft tissue that lies just beneath your | | | | If you are not ready for trigger point therapy, and |
| skin. Trigger points generally form as a result of poor | | | | would like to try something first that doesn’t |
| posture, exertion, stress or an illness such as | | | | involve a therapist, consider trying relaxation |
| fibromyalgia. | | | | techniques. |
| There are two different trigger points: | | | | |