We’ve all been lying there in a massage, when the Massage Therapist (MT) hits on an agonising spot. A sometimes very small region that can cause radiating pain to surrounding structures or just feel terrible! A good therapist will actually stick onto that spot, going over it with deep frictions or trigger points. This “therapy” can feel like torture. This article will explain why that particular treatment is not only beneficial but also very necessary.
Firstly, lets unpack these techniques. A “trigger point” (a TP) is a direct downward force on either a specific spot in the muscle belly (that has anti spasmodic effects on the whole muscle) or on a particularly fibrotic and adhesed point of muscle tissue. They can be caused by overuse, inflammation, trauma, electrolyte imbalances, infections and nerve pain. Often TP’s can create referral pain to another region, or simply along the muscle. A TP is held for 12-15 seconds, until the region softens and “gives”. They are often asymptomatic until a MT palpates them.
Deep Tissue massage is simply a targeted and firm application of various remedial massage techniques to reduce chronic muscle pain, soreness, and aid in the correction of postural imbalances.
But how does this sustained deep pressure create change? Trigger points and deep tissue massage create a vacum/suction scenario within the circulation system of the muscle belly. This vacuum and suction flushes the muscle of old circulatory fluid such as inflammatory chemicals, bringing in new fresh fluid. This is all due to the rather extreme compressive nature of the techniques. When an MT compresses deeply, the body is sent out of circulation equilibrium. To counteract this disequilibrium more blood (containing nutrients and oxygen) and lymph (the detoxifying and immune system of the body) is sent to the area. This whole procedure also sends endorphins to the area, that not only alleviate pain and leave a person feeling great, but remove inflammatory chemicals and increase the rate of metabolic recovery.
This vacum/suction scenario of Deep tissue and TP’s are only one of the many ways these techniques increase the overall health and wellbeing of the individuals soft tissues and surrounding structures. Stay tuned for more blog posts, where we will further unpack the science behind how wonderful massage therapy really is!
-Helena Zavesky
Medicinal Massage
Sources
What is the science behind Trigger Point deep muscle massage? Does it work? How many sessions does it take before you feel relief? https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-science-behind-Trigger-Point-deep-muscle-massage-Does-it-work-How-many-sessions-does-it-take-before-you-feel-relief
Science of Trigger point therapy part 1 - https://www.scienceofmassage.com/2009/03/science-of-trigger-point-therapy-part-i/
Benefits of trigger point therapy - https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-trigger-point-therapy-89735
What is trigger point therapy? - https://physioworks.com.au/massage-1/trigger-point-therapy
Trigger Points & Myofascial Pain Syndrome - A guide to the unfinished science of muscle pain, with reviews of every theory and self-treatment and therapy optionhttps://www.painscience.com/tutorials/trigger-points.php