Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger Point Therapy with Crystal Sphere

Trigger Point Therapy, or Myofascial Therapy, is a unique treatment protocol for the treatment of myofascial pain. Trigger points produce pain locally and in a referred pattern and often accompany chronic musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of trigger point therapy is to eliminate pain and to re-educate the muscles into pain-free habits. Treatment of trigger points involves the application of sustained pressure for a period long enough to release the muscle spasm, which is causing the pain.

The trigger point therapy procedure is one of the most powerful, yet simplest ways to treat muscle pain.

Based on the idea that pain in a certain muscle group stems from where the muscle insertion is, the particular muscle group innervates and its origin, great relief can be accomplished by massaging these regions.

 

Get to Know the Locations of Your Trigger Points

1,2. Occiput: The back part of the head or skull at the insertion of suboccipital muscles.

Lower cervical: at the anterior aspect of the inter-transverse spaces at C5 – C7

3,4. Sternocleidomastoid: (SCM) muscle, rotation of the head and neck, upper cervical extensor, a flexor of the cervical spine on the thoracic spine, and lateral flexor.

5,6. Trapezius: midpoint of upper border, spinous processes, and supraspinous ligaments to T12. Laterally rotates, elevates and retracts scapula. If scapula is fixed, extends and laterally flexes neck

7, 8. Rhomboids: bring the scapula in towards the spinal column, squeeze the shoulder blades together when they are used at the same time.

Supraspinatus: at origins above scapula spine medial border

9, 10. 2nd Rib: second costochondral junction, just lateral.

11, 12. Lateral epicondyle: 2cm distal to epicondyles, the action includes grasping muscles (extensor carpi radialis brevis and longus) and supination muscles (supinator longus and Brevis) of the forearm, which originate on the lateral epicondyle of the elbow.

13, 14. Greater trochanter: posterior to the trochanteric prominence

15, 16. Gluteal: upper outer quadrant, anterior fold of muscle

Piriformis: muscle originates at the front the sacrum, passes through the greater sciatic notch to attach to the top of the femur at its bony prominence called the greater trochanter. The gluteus maximus covers the piriformis muscle.

17, 18. Knees: medial fat pad, proximal to the joint line

Sartorius: the longest muscle in the body, originates from the iliac spine and goes across the front of the upper thigh from the side to the middle and then descends vertically to the knee. It inserts into the surface of the body of the tibia.

 

Identifying Pain Patterns Associated with Trigger Points

The muscles involved with pain are frequently found by recognizing the “pain pattern.”

1. A history of widespread pain for at least three (3) months in duration.

2.Widespread pain falls into the following categories:

* Present- pain on the left side of the body

* Pain on the right side of the body

* Pain above and below the waist

* Plus axial skeletal pain (cervical spine or anterior chest or thoracic spine or low back) must be present.

How to Use the Charts:

1) Identify the region on the body closest to the patient’s pain.

2) Check the muscles at the top of the list first. They are most likely to be the cause of pain in the area, although any one of the muscles may be the cause.

3) Check each muscle for restricted range of motion. The muscle or muscles which cannot sustain full stretch or which cause pain “on the stretch” should be palpated and checked for trigger points.

4) Once the trigger points have been located, treat them with Trigger Point Elimination Techniques.

5) Always follow Trigger Point Elimination Techniques with proper stretching, the range of motion exercise and self-care treatments. Do not attempt strengthening exercises for affected muscles until trigger points and referred pain are eliminated.

 

Trigger Point Elimination Techniques

1. With a crystal sphere or large tumble stone, lay on the floor and place the tennis ball under you in the points between and under the shoulder blades. Massage the area by gently rocking over the tennis ball.

2. Move the ball around to different trigger points on your back: The trapezius muscles at the base of the neck;

3. The occiput at the base of the skull;

4. The dimples of the buttock are where we hold much tension that crawls all the way up the spine to the behind the shoulder blades, which in turn burn up to the base of the skull.

5. Let your body relax over the sphere or large tumble stone until the tension dissolves.

6. Still lying on the floor, when the ball is in your upper back and neck, rotate the arm slowly along the floor to over your head and slowly back.

7. When the ball is on the right buttocks, with the foot flat on the floor, slowly lower the right knee to the floor on the right side. Move the ball to the left buttock and repeat the motion.

8. Use the sphere or large tumble stone on each one of the 18 trigger points. Gently massage these areas.

9. This is often a painful procedure. The trick is to find your pain threshold, then pass it. Once you stand up, you will understand how you got the amazing results.

10. Always use the breath when working with the sphere or large tumble stone. Inhale deep and then exhale as you dig the ball into the trigger point.