Trigger Point Techniques

Question 1

What is a hyperirritable spot, usually within a taut band of skeletal muscle or it’s fascia?
- Often point tender on site, often exhibits a predictable pain referral pattern and causes a shortening of the affected muscle

Answer 1

Trigger point

Question 2

Important Information

Answer 2

• A palpable taut band can feel like strumming a guitar string
• Palpation of a trigger point can create a twitch response along the taut band
• Client can respond with a jump sign

Question 3

What are the types of trigger point?

Answer 3

1. Primary trigger point
2. Secondary trigger point
3. Satellite trigger point

Question 4

Which type of trigger point is directly activated by acute or chronic mechanical strain or overload of the affected muscle?

Answer 4

Primary trigger point

Question 5

Which type of trigger point is activated in the overworked synergist or antagonist muscle?

Answer 5

Secondary trigger point

Question 6

Which trigger point is found in muscle that lies within the referral pattern of another trigger point?

Answer 6

Satellite trigger point

Question 7

What are the palpation indications of TrP techniques?

Answer 7

1. Skin changes
2. Temperate changes
3. Edema
4. Deep palpation
5. Fibrotic changes
6. Interosseous changes

Question 8

What are the indications of TrP techniques?

Answer 8

1. Referral pain pattern reported
2. Pain and/or referral pain on compression
3. Decreased muscle length
4. Decreased muscle strength
5. Decreased ROM

Question 9

How to perform Alternating Compression TrP?

Answer 9

1. Perform non invasive massage techniques to attempt to decrease trigger point
2. Hold for 7-10 seconds with pressure that creates no more than a 7/10 pain on the scale, repeat until pain decreases 2-3/10
3. Post compression techniques make sure to perform circulatory techniques, stretch and apply heat

Question 10

How to perform prolonged compressions?

Answer 10

1. Perform non invasive massage techniques to attempt to decrease trigger point
2. Hold up to 2 minutes with pain scale no higher than 7/10
3. Post compression techniques, make sure to perform circulatory techniques, stretch and apply heat

Question 11

What are the effects?

Answer 11

1. Reduction for referral pain
2. Reduction of hyperirritable taut band
3. Lengthen affected muscle

Question 12

What are the contraindications?

Answer 12

1. Vigorous or deep pressure with hyperirritable trigger points to prevent “kick back” pain
2. Treating trigger points that are distal to an area of acute inflammation
3. In the case of acute injuries, don’t treat trigger points local to the injury
4. Avoid prolonged chilling of a muscle containing a trigger point as it may activate it
5. Avoid combining prolonged ischemic compression and frictions to the same muscle in the same treatment
6. Do not stretch a hypermobile joint even post trigger point treatment, just repetitive stripping to the muscle