Trigger points, known for being contracted and tender spots in our muscles, are often painful and highly sensitive to touch. These specific areas are intricately linked with what is known as referred pain – a type of discomfort that's felt in a muscular region away from the actual trigger point. Interestingly, a trigger point might be situated near where you're experiencing this referred pain, or it could even be the root cause of it.
But what exactly leads to the formation of a trigger point? The primary culprit is muscle overuse. This overexertion sends the muscle into a state of distress, leading to an 'energy crisis.' During this crisis, the muscle fibers struggle due to an insufficient blood supply. This lack of blood flow means the muscle doesn't receive enough oxygen and nutrients, which are vital for it to return to its normal, relaxed state.
As a result of this crisis, the tissue surrounding a trigger point becomes more acidic, a change that sensitizes the nerves in the area. This sensitivity is what causes the soreness and pain commonly associated with trigger points.
An effective way to alleviate this discomfort is through the stimulation of the trigger point with either sustained or intermittent pressure at its precise location. This technique aims to restore normal blood flow, thereby flushing out the affected area and easing the tension. The applied pressure also serves to activate surrounding nerve fibers that prompt the brain to release endorphins, which act as a natural pain-reliever.
During a therapy session, once a therapist identifies a trigger point, they will carefully apply pressure with a fore-knuckle, elbow, or with an instrument. Sometimes, they may slightly adjust to elicit a 'local twitch response,' which is a brief muscle spasm. This reaction is generally seen as a positive sign, indicating that the muscle is responding to the treatment.
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