What is the Trigger Point Tool and What Can You Do With It?
Trigger points are little knots in muscle that can cause intense, sharp pain. They are referred to as knots because they feel like they are “knotting” your muscles together. They are also referred to as myofascial trigger points, because that’s the name used for the group of nerves that supply them.
Although trigger points are usually not dangerous on their own, they can become problematic when they are connected to another muscle nearby. This allows them to refer pain and cause other muscles to shorten and tighten in response. For instance, if you have trigger points in your hip that refer pain to your thigh, when you move your thigh, the muscle fibers in your thigh are pulled taut and shortened, which causes you to feel the pain in your hip. This is often referred to as “pain traveling up the referred chain.”
While trigger points may feel like knots, they are actually very small in size and do not form a distinct structure like a knot. They are more like groups of spindle-shaped muscle fibers that have become entwined with each other.
This makes it difficult to find them with the naked eye. That’s where the Trigger Point Tool comes in. This tool has small needles that are inserted into the trigger points to feel for them and find them. Once found, they can then be worked on so they dissipate and no longer refer pain.
This article lists different ways you can use the Trigger Point
Self Care
The Trigger Point Tool is also a self-care tool. It can help you relieve some of the pain caused by trigger points and allow you to return to your daily activities more quickly.
Gentle Exercise
The most common way to work on trigger points is with gentle exercise. Gently moving the muscle in question causes the trigger point to release, which can help reduce pain and muscle tightness. It also helps to relieve other symptoms that may result from a trigger point including fatigue, lack of range of motion, numbness, or tingling sensations.
A good rule of thumb for when you should be doing gentle exercise for trigger point relief is if your muscles are feeling tight, sore, or knotted up. This often happens after a strenuous workout like lifting weights or running. The best time to do this type of gentle exercise is right afterward when the muscles are fresh and relaxed.
Another way to work on trigger points is through repetitive passive motion (RPM). This involves gently moving the affected area back and forth as it should move in normal function. This removes any adhesions that could be causing knots in the muscle fibers as well as helps prevent them from becoming inflexible by loosening them up so that they can resume their natural movement pattern without triggering tension and pain signals in other surrounding muscles.
Gentle exercise and RPM can both be done at home using tools such as foam rollers, tennis balls, lacrosse balls, bolsters or even your own hands.
Myofascial Massage
Myofascial massage is a type of bodywork that focuses on the soft tissue, with special attention paid to the muscles, fascia, tendons and ligaments. The goal of this form of massage is to restore normal motion by alleviating the tension caused by muscle imbalances and pain patterns.
One technique used in myofascial massage is trigger point therapy. Trigger point therapy is commonly used to help relieve pain or discomfort in a specific area. This technique involves using a tool called a trigger point tool, which has small needles that are inserted into the trigger points directly. Once found, they can then be worked on so they dissipate and no longer refer pain.
The mechanism underlying myofascial massage is related to fascial planes and the way they transmit force through connective tissue throughout the body. The insertion of needles into these trigger points causes the release of chemicals like serotonin and endorphins while also loosening tight muscles and stimulating blood flow into those areas.
Stretching
A great way to relieve tension and reduce muscle tightness is to stretch. Try out these different stretches that can help you feel better:
1. Cross one foot in front of the other, standing on your tiptoes and gently pulling your heel towards your buttock.
2. Stand up on your toes with your arms by your side, then lean forward slowly until you feel a stretch in the back of your leg. 3. While sitting or lying down, bend one knee so that it touches the ground while the opposite leg remains straight, keeping both feet flat on the ground at all times.
Applying Compression
If you are in pain and cannot move a certain area, applying compression may provide relief. This can be done with a bandage, towel, or even your own hand. Another option is to use a foam roller on the area of your body that is painful.
Stretching
Trigger points often contract muscles nearby and cause them to shorten when they are present. A simple way to stretch those muscles is by applying gentle pressure to the muscle group and pushing it away from the trigger point. This will cause the muscle fibers in the muscle group to lengthen again, which will provide relief from pain associated with trigger points. Plus, stretching helps improve blood flow, which supports healing and recovery from injuries.
Massage
When applied during a massage session, pressure applied to trigger points can help reduce inflammation and release toxins that have built up in these areas. When toxins are released into the bloodstream during massage, it helps relieve symptoms such as headaches and sinus issues that usually accompany trigger points.
Conclusion
It is not easy to find the time for self-care. The first step is to make sure you are using trigger point tools that are in alignment with your own needs.
If you tend to have tight muscles, try a gentle exercise. If you have tension in your neck and shoulders, try a neck and shoulder massage. If you are experiencing a lot of pain or discomfort, try applying compression.
If you start using these self-care tools and see the benefits, it’s easy to build up a routine that enables you to take care of yourself.
