| Trigger points are described as hyperirritable | | | | factors, including acute or chronic muscle overload, |
| spots in the muscles that are associated with | | | | injury to the area, muscle imbalances and some |
| palpable nodules in the muscle fibers. The palpable | | | | other less common reasons. |
| nodules are said to be small contraction knots and | | | | Trigger points can appear in many myofascial |
| a common cause of pain. The trigger points | | | | structures includingmuscles, tendons, ligaments, |
| produce pain locally (right where they are) as well | | | | skin, joint capsule, periost (bone fascia) and scar |
| as often referring pain to other areas. | | | | tissue. When present in muscles there is often |
| Very often the muscles most affected with | | | | pain and weakness in the associated structures. |
| trigger points are the postural muscles. The | | | | Trigger Points are often the cause for the |
| trigger point model states that most unexplained | | | | development of muscle imbalances, which in |
| pain radiates from these points of local | | | | return cause spinal and joint mal-alignment. As |
| tenderness, suggesting that treatment should be | | | | structures become uneven or excessively |
| addressed to the relevant trigger points. But | | | | stressed a condition of the spine or joint will |
| before I carry on to further explaining the Trigger | | | | develop! |
| Point Theory let's go back in time first to see | | | | TREATMENT |
| where this concept comes from. | | | | Prior to treatment commencement, the therapist |
| HISTORY | | | | should be sure that the pain patterns they are |
| An American doctor, Janet G. Travell, was | | | | treating lend themselves to Trigger Point Therapy. |
| responsible for the most detailed and important | | | | If the patient presents with swelling, discoloration, |
| work. Her work treating US President John F. | | | | or neurological symptoms, it is always advisable to |
| Kennedyback pain was so successful that she | | | | refer to another health/medical care provider |
| was asked to be the first female Personal Doctor | | | | regarding further examination and/or investigation. |
| to the President. She published more than 40 | | | | Treatment of trigger points may be by |
| papers between 1942 and 1990 and in 1983 the | | | | Physiotherapists trained in Trigger Point |
| first volume of The Trigger Point Manual | | | | Treatment, Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist and |
| appeared. | | | | other Therapists trained in this field. If your back |
| This was followed by the second volume in 1992. | | | | pain, sciatica or any other pain treatment has |
| In her later years Travell collaborated extensively | | | | been unsuccessful then it is very likely that the |
| with her colleague David Simons. A third edition is | | | | Trigger Point Treatment has been the missing link |
| soon to be published by Simons and his wife, both | | | | of your treatment. You are best to find a Health |
| of whom have survived Travell. | | | | Professional experienced in the Trigger Point |
| Today, much treatment of trigger points and their | | | | treatment concept. |
| pain complexes are handled by Physiotherapist | | | | THE TRIGGER POINT SELF-TREATMENT |
| who are trained and experienced in Trigger Point | | | | SYSTEM |
| Therapy, Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists and | | | | The Trigger Point Self-Treatment System was |
| some other Therapists who are trained in this | | | | developed by an Americanneurological chiropractor |
| field. The trigger point concept remains unknown | | | | who once suffered from low back pain and |
| to most doctors and is not generally taught in | | | | shoulder/arm pain himself. This system allows you |
| medical school curricula. | | | | to treat your trigger points in the comfort of |
| THE TRIGGER POINT THEORY | | | | your own home, as often as necessary. People |
| Trigger points have a number of qualities. They | | | | who can't afford to see a Health Professional |
| may be classified as active/latent and also as key | | | | Privately or just don't have the time to regularly |
| satellites and primary/secondary. I will just go on | | | | make visits to a Professional can treat their pain |
| to explain the active and latent concept to avoid | | | | at the comfort opf their own home. |
| making it too technical. | | | | The program's unique, easy to use design helps |
| An active trigger point is one that actively refers | | | | you completely relax your muscles while you |
| pain either locally or to another location (most | | | | apply only the amount of deep therapeutic |
| trigger points refer pain elsewhere in the body | | | | pressure needed, to your comfort level. The |
| along nerve pathways). A latent trigger point is | | | | Trigger Point Self-Treatment System allows you |
| one that exists, but does not yet refer pain | | | | to be in complete control. With the treatment |
| actively, but may do so when pressure or strain | | | | platform design you can simply use your body |
| is applied to the myo-skeletal structure containing | | | | weight, and completely relax whilst effortlessly |
| the trigger point. | | | | melting your pain away. |
| Latent trigger points can influence muscle | | | | With just ten minutes a day, you can find blessed |
| activation patterns, which can result in poorer | | | | relief you probably have not known for a long |
| muscle coordination and balance. Activation of | | | | time. All the trigger points around the body can be |
| trigger points may be caused by a number of | | | | pressure massaged away. Nothing could be easier! |