{"id":80267,"date":"2024-11-14T15:17:28","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T15:17:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.soothe.com\/?p=80267"},"modified":"2024-11-14T15:17:29","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T15:17:29","slug":"trigger-point-massages-what-they-are-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.soothe.com\/articles\/trigger-point-massages-what-they-are-what-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Trigger Point Massages: What They Are & What You Need To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ever wake up feeling tense in one particular spot? Chances are, that may be a trigger point, which causes localized pain in one particular area. You might be thinking you can just walk this pain off, but this may require a more focused solution. After consulting your physician, you might find that targeted relief is what you need to truly ease the pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Soothe, we understand the importance of selecting the correct type of massage for your unique needs. That\u2019s why we are breaking down what trigger point massages are, who they could benefit when it comes to pain relief, and what to expect from a trigger point massage session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Trigger Point Massage?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A trigger point massage is a specific form of massage therapy that is designed to reduce pain and discomfort by targeting specific areas of muscle tightness, also known as trigger points. Trigger points are hyper-irritable areas that can be extremely painful, leading to a decreased range of motion and muscle weakness. Common areas for trigger points include hips, neck, calves, shoulders, and lower back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several possible explanations for how trigger points appear, as this is not a well studied area in the medical field, and it seems to present itself through multiple conditions. One looks at the overuse of muscles, or holding yourself in an uncomfortable position to strain those muscles for too long. Stress is another possibility for trigger points to develop where muscles tighten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trigger point massages focus on increasing blood circulation to an area. This is done by applying pressure to a localized area to release that tension. It pushes fresh blood in, delivering more oxygen to that area to get the muscles to release. This pressure is applied for 30-90 seconds, and once it is released, the massage therapist will massage the area with long, light strokes to flush it out. This method can be commonly applied in deep tissue massages<\/a> and myofascial releases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of a Trigger Point Massage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Those who are looking for a trigger point massage typically have some sort of pain that they want to relieve. The type of massage is less focused on overall relaxation like a Swedish massage would be, but more on the release of specific tension points on the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some conditions that may benefit from a trigger point massage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n