What is Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy/Bodywork?

 

Myo: prefix denoting muscle.

Fascia: a band or sheath of connective tissue investing, supporting, or binding together internal organs or parts of the body.

 

By definition, trigger points are hyper-irritable nodules found in taut bands of muscle. They often cause dysfunction in the involved muscle(s). When these trigger points are active, they will produce symptoms. These symptoms are typically manifested as pain, but other symptoms such as bladder control issues, bowel issues (including IBS), arrhythmia, and vertigo, to name a few, can be caused by active myofascial trigger points.

 

Simply speaking, comprehensive Trigger Point Therapy involves 3 things –

  1. identifying what may have caused the symptoms and importantly, what may be perpetuating symptoms (e.g. stress, over-use, trauma)
  2.  removing the symptom-causing TrP nodules (through bodywork)
  3. creating an environment conducive to the involved muscles’ healing, (i.e. following Trigger Point protocol) which results in a return to normalized muscle function.

Note – creating this environment is paramount, if successful, remedial results are to be achieved.