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Trigger Point Massage
Trigger point massage, also known as myofascial massage or myofascial release, concentrates first on identifying latent (painful to touch) and active (always painful) muscle spots on the body. Then using various manual techniques to eradicate those painful areas within the muscle tissue.
A trigger point is described as a taut band of muscle, usually of a different texture and feel, first identified by Dr. Janet Travell, M.D. as a hyperirritable spot, usually within a tender band of muscle / fascia which is painful to touch and can give rise to a characteristic referred pain (shooting pain to another area of the body upon digital compression from the therapist), motor dysfunction, and autonomic phenomena.
These trigger points are tight and contracted myofascial tissue, with a feel of a different tone, almost like hard nodules. They may feel swollen, tense, or tender upon digit compression by a therapist.
In our office we treat myofascial trigger points with vibration and percussion. This method reduces inflammation and facilitates blood flow to the area, thereby restoring the normal tone of the muscle. It is the least painful for the patient, compared to the common compression method which is very painful and not very effective. Vibration of the trigger point does not produce any pain and as a result, the outcome is quite effective in eradicating trigger points from the muscles. Combined with craniosacral therapy your results are realized as quickly as possible.
We often use tuning forks with a specific frequency to treat trigger points. Once activated, the flat point is placed right on the trigger point and the vibration from the tuning fork melts it away. It is a simple and very effective modality to work with. Patients often report a myofascial release within the triggered muscle during this application, a very soothing sensation for the body.
The options for alternative medicine therapies continue to grow in Western Medicine and the benefits are nearly innumerable. One of the more impressive therapies in the growing field of alternative medicine is Trigger Point Therapy, also referred to as Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy. It was developed in the 1940s by Dr. Janet Travell in the United States as a way to treat pain and pain related conditions.
Trigger Point Therapy is largely based on the idea that pain in one part of the body can be accredited to injury or dysfunction in a separate part of the body. This occurs via “trigger points” where pain will radiate from one area to the rest of the body. By locating the trigger point for an issue the therapist is able to address and correct the pain by addressing the cause.
There are two types of trigger points. Latent and Active. Latent trigger points are essentially areas in the body that produce pain when they are touched. Active trigger points are areas in the muscle tissue are causing pain constantly. Many people have them but are not aware of what they are. When someone refers to having a “knot” in their muscles or back they are referencing a trigger point. They have a variety of causes linked to their development, some are avoidable and some are not. Some theories of the more common trigger point causes include deficiency in vitamin B6, food allergies, poor posture, digestive tract diseases and ulcer, child birth trauma, and even hypoglycemia.
While there are a number of conditions and factors that can create these trigger points in the body, there are even more conditions that may be successfully treated using this alternative therapeutic method. Pain associated with the head and neck such as TMJ, headaches, and migraines have been successfully treated with Trigger Point Therapy. Other conditions such as lower back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and injuries associated with sports may also see improvements with this form of therapy.
In its early development Travell would address these trigger points by injecting saline and Novocain into the trigger point. This method proved to be effective, but painful. In the 1970s an exercise therapist, Bonnie Prudden, discovered that by applying prolonged pressure to these trigger points within the muscle belly some amount of pain relief could be accomplished.
In a Trigger Point Therapy session today the patient should expect to visit a healthcare professional who has been trained in the field. They are generally referred to a therapist with this training by their primary care physician, but this does not have to be the case.
During a session the practitioner will take a detailed history of the patient’s past injuries, work history, and physical activity history such as sports played or regular exercises performed. The patient will then have the opportunity to go into detail about the pain they are experiencing. The practitioner will then begin to address trigger point associated with the area of pain the patient is experiencing.
Once they practitioner is able to isolate the trigger point they will then either inject the site with lidocaine or saline, probe the area with a dry need as if performing acupuncture. In Myotherapy they will apply sustained pressure with their fingers, elbows, or knuckles for a prolonged amount of time, generally several seconds.
The patient should expect to experience immediate relief of their pain, but follow up visits may be necessary for lasting results. The patient will be taught a series of exercises to be performed as maintenance and to retrain the muscles in an attempt to prevent future pain from recurring.
Non-Invasive Trigger Point Therapy should only be performed by a practitioner who has been trained in the field. These practitioners are generally professionals such as chiropractors, massage therapists, or acupuncturist. This form of alternative medicine can be categorized as musculoskeletal medicine. This form of medicine is commonly associated with the aches and pains that have no clear cause. This pain is designated to the generic field of “chronic pain” and is essentially left unstudied by modern medicine. Because muscles have gone without extensive research in their relationship to sickness and disease trigger points have gone essentially unnoticed by traditional medicine as well, as they are located within the muscles.
However, chronic pain is becoming an epidemic in today’s society and trigger points may be the key to unlocking the healing and relief many sufferers desire.
Dr. Kaminsky treats Trigger Points with Vibrational Sound Therapy, which is a finely tuned tuning fork that vibrates at its base a crystal point, when activated. This activated point is then placed on the trigger point and healing is elicited.
Massage Therapy at Craniosacral Therapy NY
Paula Sealy comes from the beautiful Island of Jamaica in the year 1999. She is a licensed Massage Therapist since the year 2017, being a graduate of the NY College of Health Professionals. And a practitioner of Craniosacral Therapy of the past three years.
Prior to becoming licensed in massage therapy she has worked as a certified Personal Trainer for many years and has won accolades in the healing arts form called NIA Technique.
As a NIA practitioner from 2003 – 2018, Paula worked for NYC, Shape-Up program as a personal trainer and fitness consultant where she helped guide clients towards their healing journeys.
Paula’s experience in massage therapy comes from working at a Physical Therapy rehabilitation center from 2017 – 2021. Where she performed the following techniques:
- Swedish Massage
- Deep Tissue Massage
- Myofascial Release Massage
- Lymphatic Drainage Massage
- Craniosacral Massage
She has worked as an independent contractor the last four years before coming on board to our practice part time. Mondays and Wednesdays.
During her initial employment Paula continued to partake in furthering her massage therapy skills with post graduate education classes in Upledger Cranial Sacral Therapy.
Paula is experienced, pleasant, caring, and has warm and professional bedside manner. She recently joined Dr. Kaminsky’s practice offering Craniosacral Therapy as part of her Massage Therapy sessions.
Contact us to schedule your appointment today.