Trigger Point Therapy Flashcards
Characteristics of Trigger Points
- Are a hyperirritable spot
- Are usually painful upon compression
- Refer pain in a predicable pattern
- Cause a shortening of the affected muscle
- Decrease contractile ability (create weakness)
- Usually found within a taut band of skeletal muscle or it’s fascia.
- May also be found ligaments, joint capsules, and periosteum
Characteristics of Referral Pain
- Occurs typically distal to the activated/palpated trigger point
- Is reported by clients as dull and achy, or as a burning sensation
- Is rarely accompanied by numbness and tingling
- Disappears by resolving the trigger point
Characteristics of Active Trigger Points
- Produce pain when the affected muscle is at rest or moving
- Create referral pain upon being palpated or during contraction or stretching of the affected muscle
- Cause a shortening of the affected muscle
- Decrease the ability of the affected muscle to fully contract, causing weakness
- Prevent affected muscle from fully lengthening
- Cause a local twitch response in client
- Are not likely to resolve on their own
5 Types of Trigger Points
- Active
- Latent
- Primary
- Secondary
- Satellite
Characteristics of Latent Trigger Points
- Usually are not noticed as painful until palpated/activated
- Decrease the ability of the affected muscle to fully contract
- Prevent affected muscle form fully lengthening
- More common than active trigger points
- May persist for years after an injury
- May become active if overuse, overstretching, or chilling of the affected muscle occurs
Characteristics of Primary Triggers Points
- Found in the AGONIST muscle
- May be activated by acute or chronic mechanical strain as well as overload of the affected muscle
Characteristics of Secondary Trigger Points
- Found in overworked synergist or antagonist muscles
Characteristics of Satellite Triggers Points
- Found in muscles that lie with the referral zone of primary or secondary trigger points
Difference Between Tender Points and Trigger Points
Are painful upon palpation, but do not create referral pain
Perpetuating Factors that Activate Latent Trigger Points
- Mechanical stress, including bone asymmetries
- Postural stress
- Muscle constriction
- Nutritional imbalances
- Metabolic imbalances
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Psychological factors
- Chronic infections
- Impaired sleep
- Allergies
- Sudden increase in activity
The 2 Ways of Palpating Trigger Points
- Flat Palpation (cross fiber sweeps)
- Pincer Grasp
General Protocol Prior to Trigger Point Therapy
- Communications
- Resting Position
- Initial Warming
- Fascial Techniques
- Joint Mobilizations
- Clearing
- Deeper Warming
The 2 Techniques for Treating Trigger Points
- Ischemic Compression
- Muscle Stripping
Technique for Locating Trigger Points
- Use fast muscle stripping in the direction of the muscle fiber at a speed of 3 to 6” per second
- As an alternative to fast muscle stripping, use palpation
- Observe for local twitch response
- Allow client to guide you
Ischemic Compression Technique
- Pin the trigger point against underlying structures
- Produce discomfort between 4 and 5
- Hold for 10 to 12 seconds and then ask when there’s referral pain (marker of a true trigger point)
- If pain decreases, hold compression until clients feel no pain or referral pain
- If pain doesn’t decrease, slowly release compression
- Superficially smooth out area
- Stretch treated muscle to restore it length
- Address referral zone for about 10 seconds to discourage the development of satellite trigger points
Muscle Stripping Technique
- Strip in direction of muscle at a speed of 1” per 3 seconds
- Continue stripping until pain and referral is gone.
- Stop stripping if pain doesn’t decrease
- Address the referral zone
- Stretch the worked muscle
General Rule on when to Stop Trigger Point Therapy
5 minutes before the session ends
Causes of Overworking Trigger Point During Therapy
- Too Much Pressure
- Indirect Pressure
- Insufficient Tissue Warming
- Not remaining stationary on trigger point
Post Trigger Point Therapy Self Care
- Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine
- Drink plenty of water
- Perform light, pain- free movements
- Use warm, most heat applications
- Avoid chilling of muscles
Founder of Trigger Point Therapy
Janet Travell
