Have you heard of Trigger Point Therapy?
Trigger Point Therapy is a myofascial release treatment in which you apply pressure to a tight muscle and hold the pressure until the muscle relaxes. There are a variety of different ways that you can perform this type of therapy but most common forms include massage, dry needling, massage guns, foam rollers, and lacrosse balls.
Fascia is a type of connective tissue that surrounds all of our organs, blood vessels, bones, nerves, and muscles. Basically it is our internal structure. As a response to trauma or stress, this fascia can tighten up. Trauma and stress include but not limited to overuse, exercise, injury, and emotional stress in our daily lives. We hold tension and stress in our bodies in different areas. Common areas include our neck, shoulders, hips, jaw, hands, and feet and thus, when we release the tension in these areas, we can improve our quality of life.
As this fascia tightens up, it can lead to poor muscular biomechanics, poor posture and altered alignment, and decreased strength, endurance, and coordination. Benefits of trigger point therapy include:
- Reducing headaches and muscle tension.
- Improved range of motion and flexibility.
- Improved posture.
- Pain relief
Now, how and where can I get Trigger Point Therapy done? Good news, you can do it yourself in the comfort of your own home! Yes you read that correctly and here is how:
- First things first, you want to locate those tender points in your body. These tender points will feel like tightness when you are trying to move around. When feeling the area that is tight, you will find knots in the muscle and those are the trigger points.
- If you are able to, use your thumb to apply direct pressure to those points. If the points and knots are hard to reach, you can use a lacrosse ball, massage gun, or foam roller to apply pressure.
- Hold this pressure for at least 30 seconds or until you feel the muscle start to loosen up.
- Repeat this process 3-5 times on each point.
Simple as that! A helpful tip is to work along the whole muscle where you feel tightness and knots. Most importantly, BREATHE. Keep the oxygen flowing to the muscles and relax into it.
Happy releasing and if you haven't yet, try out this technique with our Massage Gun!
xo, Valentina
@valentinaelise_