Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage and Trigger Point Therapy

A trigger point is a hyper irritable spot in a tight band of a skeletal muscle or in the muscle's fascia, that is painful on
compression and that can give rise to characteristic referred pain.

Trigger points can cause severe pain and restrict your range of motion. While pain is a common sensation caused
by trigger points, other sensations can be elicited as well. Tingling, numbness, thermal sensations (hot/cold), and
achiness. Trigger points can cause severe pain and have been implicated in the following conditions: headaches, neck
and jaw pain, low back pain, carpal tunnel symptoms, joint pain, earaches, dizziness, heart burn, sinus pain,
chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, and fibromyalgia.

It is believed that Trigger Points are created by injuries, muscle strain and emotional stress. Sometimes
trigger points can lie dormant and don't cause pain until they are activated by physical or emotional stress.

In my experience as a massage therapist the most effective way to treat trigger points is through deep tissue massage and trigger point therapy. By applying pressure to specific spots in a muscle, we can release the trigger point and relieve the associated pain and improve range of motion.

Letting trigger points go untreated can cause further problems down the line. There are trigger point clusters that can aggravate each other and cause additional pain and discomfort. In addition, trigger points in the back can keep the muscles along the spine so tight, that they pull the spine out of alignment.

Trigger point therapy and Deep Tissue massage require a high level of knowledge of massage principles, techniques, and a thorough understanding of the muscular system. I recommend that you check your Massage Therapists credentials and background before you schedule a massage with them.

-Margarita Canizales is a Massage Therapist practicing in Riverside, CA. She has a B.S. from the University of Oregon and attended the School of Holistic Touch in Ontario, CA. She has been practing massage for 5 years.

-Please be advised of the following: Massage therapy is a complimentary health practice. It is not meant to
replace the care of a qualified physician. Massage therapy should not be construed as a substitute for medical or psychological examination, diagnosis, or treatment.