A Closer Look At Chronic Pain

 

Pain is a warning signal from the body. It is much like the “check engine” light on the dashboard of your car. The check engine light is there to tell you that you have an issue that needs to be resolved. Many people take the warnings of the human body as “non-threatening” and either ignore the warning or try to cover it up with over-the-counter medicine. Unfortunately, this leads to chronic pain more times than not. Once pain is experienced, you should stop what you are doing and determine the source.

Where Is The Pain?

PAIN

MASSAGE

How Can I Create Change?

Most of us associate massage with pure relaxation and the release of tension in the muscles. But massage is so much more...

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When muscles and surrounding tissue get stuck, the body is actually laying additional tissue down and forming a scar. We are probably aware of the scar that forms on the outside but a very similar response occurs on the inside. Therefore, during a deep tissue massage the therapist is actually breaking the bond of the scar tissue.

According to a 2011 study in the “Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine,” in deep-tissue massage, the manipulation of muscle tissue causes an immediate reduction by about 18 percent of the hormone arginine vasopressin, a hormone that restricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure. This reduction initiates what is known as the "relaxation response," a mechanical response that encourages circulation, enhances the delivery of oxygen and lowers blood pressure. Additionally, massage initiates a reduction of the stress hormone cortisol, thus creating feelings of relaxation.

FOAM ROLLING

Why Should I Roll?

Foam rolling keeps fascia healthy by circulating fresh, oxygenated blood through soft tissue for better movement and recovery.

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The act of foam rolling involves using body weight pressure across a cylindrical object in an effort to change the tissues.

Foam rolling can be used to induce a variety of changes in the tissue, depending on the application of use. One method is to simply use body weight to apply compression forces into a particular area.

When compression is applied, blood meant for particular tissues will first be obstructed, and when the pressure is removed, nutrient rich blood will rush to the area to begin the healing process. By decreasing pain and increasing the quality of the muscle, there will be more range of motion at each joint, which will lead to more efficient movement.

APPLICATION

Myofascial Compression Techniques

TriggerPoint™ has developed a unique set of foam rolling modalities that we call Myofascial Compression Techniques. Together, these innovative and different methods of foam rolling will help you fill your toolbox of self-care and recovery.

By performing Myofascial Compression Techniques, tissue tolerance will increase as length tension relationships and elasticity are restored, resulting in enhanced mobility and improved overall biomechanics.

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A myofascial trigger point (MTrP) was defined by Drs. Travell and Simons and published in “Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual” as “a hyperirritable spot in skeletal muscle that is associated with a hypersensitive palpable nodule”. The release of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) can involve a variety of different techniques. One effective method is Trigger Point Pressure Release. This technique is performed by applying and sustaining light pressure on an area containing an MTrP. The pressure is held until a noticeable “release” is felt. This process can be repeated throughout a range of motion, until there is no longer pain associated with the movement. If the technique is too aggressive, it could further aggravates the MTrPs.
 

A pivot is a motion that has been a staple in many massage therapy techniques. While it appears to be a simple rolling of the tool over the tissue, it involves maintaining compression and performing small side-to-side rotation motions. The tool is designed to grip the clothing or the skin and slowly work deeper, layer by layer to have the maximum effect of the targeted area. The goal is to move the muscle and tool at the same time and not to simple work over the top of the skin. 

Another effective method of MTrP treatment, which is an indirect technique, is Myofascial Release. Myofascial release applies a stretch to the tissue housing the MTrP. As the stretch is held, the tissue is elongated and the MTrP can be released. This method is described as being healthy subjective to the clinician providing the technique.