A myofascial trigger point is what you may refer to as a “muscle knot.” They are hyperirritable spots in a taut band of muscle or fascia that feel like a small nodule.
There are three types of trigger points
Active trigger points
cause pain and referral without being stimulated. They are usually the points that you feel are painful all the time and need a treatment for. You may be experiencing headaches, mid back pain or sciatica like symptoms that are all due to myofascial trigger points.
Latent trigger points
only cause pain when stimulated. These are the ones that are painful in the treatment, that you didn’t realise you had. They can increase the tightness in a muscle. If a latent trigger point is put under more load or repetitive strain it will become an active trigger point.
Satellite trigger points
can cause referral pain away from the initial site of palpation. Each trigger point has its own referral pattern, it does not differ from person to person. An experienced myotherapist will know pain referral sites and be able to determine what muscles to target.
How do they occur?
If a muscle is overloaded with repetitive movement or injury, changes in chemicals cause muscles to contract. Sustained muscle contractions lead to poor circulation in the area. The tightness of the muscle can compress blood vessels which restricts blood flow. Inadequte blood flow leads to poor recovery and healing. Changes in the oxygen and nutrients supplied to the muscle fibre is compromised which leads to sustained contraction and forms a taut band in the muscle.
What can a myotherapist do?
A myotherapist has a variety of different tools to help treat myofascial trigger points. We can use manual trigger point release. This involves applying sustained pressure to the trigger point in order for it to release. Myofascial release and deep tissue massage can help manipulate the mechanical state of the muscle and fascia. Dry needling allows the therapist to get deep into the muscle. It improves blood flow to the area and stimulates the release of neurotransmitters that block pain signals. This results in increased healing and the reduction of pain. We can also educate you on your postural imbalances and everyday activities that may be causing the presence of myofascial trigger points.