stress

Trigger points in the sternocleidomastoid muscles

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The sternocleidomastoid muscles are two strap like muscles located in the front of the neck. They are responsible for producing head movements like flexion, as well as rotating the head to the opposite side. These muscles often become chronically shortened due to poor posture such as sitting in front of a computer screen for to long. When this happens trigger points can form. These points will refer pain into the head, face, and skull producing headaches. Trigger points won’t resolve by themselves, a manual intervention like trigger point massage is required to cause a release.

Rhomboid trigger points

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the rhomboids are muscles located in your upper back. They lie underneath the trapezius muscle. These muscles are responsible for retracting your scapula, or pulling your shoulder blades back. Since poor posture causes the shoulders to round forward, the rhomboids are often strained. When this happens trigger points will form. These points cause deep achy pain to be felt along the shoulder blade. Once trigger points have formed they will not release on there own. A manual release such as trigger point massage is required.

Trigger point massage therapy.

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Trigger points are hyper irritable knots found in muscle tissue. These points form in a muscle due to overload stress. Trigger points can form anywhere, in any muscle. Once formed they irritate sensory nerves and produce pain, refered pain, weakness, and stiffness. Trigger points will also mimic symptoms of other conditions such as “sciatica” or Carple tunnel syndrome. Trigger points will not go away on there own, they must be manually released with hands on techniques like trigger point massage.

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Trigger point massage therapy is specifically designed to alleviate the source of the pain through cycles of isolated pressure and release. In this type of massage for trigger point therapy, the recipient actively participates through deep breathing as well as identifying the exact location and intensity of the discomfort.

The results and benefits of trigger point massage are releasing constricted areas in the muscles thus alleviating pain. You can experience a significant decrease in pain after just one treatment. Receiving massage with trigger point therapy on a regular basis can help naturally manage pain and stress from chronic injuries.

How trigger points form.

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Activation of trigger points may be caused by a number of factors, including acute or chronic muscle overload, activation by other trigger points (key/satellite, primary/secondary), disease, psychological distress (via systemic inflammation), homeostatic imbalances, direct trauma to the region, collision trauma (such as a car crash which stresses many muscles and causes instant trigger points) radiculopathy, infections and health issues such as smoking.

Trigger points in the pectoralis major muscle.

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the pectoralis major is the main muscle of the chest. It is a powerful adductor of the arm. This muscle often is tight and shortened from poor shoulder posture. Trigger points in this muscle will cause pain to refer into the chest, shoulder, and down the arm. Trigger points in the left pec can mimic heart attack and angina symptoms.

Trigger points in the serratus anterior.

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The serratus anterior muscle is responsible for scapular and rib movement and stability. This muscle can become overloaded from poor posture of the shoulders, as well as heavy breathing from exertion. Trigger points in this muscle will cause pain to be felt under the armpit into the shoulder blade area, and down the arm into the fingers.