Treatments
Relaxation massage
Relaxation massage is Swedish massage where the primary focus is to stimulate the “rest and digest” nervous system and encourage deep relaxation. Relaxing music and warm towels are part of the setting. The strokes used for relaxation massage are generally longer and more flowing however the pressure level need not be light and strokes that release muscle tension can be incorporated. Trigger point therapy is generally not used in relaxation massage as it requires to much interaction from the client.
Therapeutic Massage
Incorporates trigger point therapy and deep tissue massage where the main goal is to address specific complaints of muscle dysfunction. Relaxation techniques are often incorporated into the therapeutic massage.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy is incorporated into a massage session and involves compression and deep stroking massage applied directly to the trigger point working closely with the client to ensure pain levels are not too high. Stretching and heat is often also applied to the trigger point. A course of three treatments over three weeks followed by monthly maintenance massage is often recommended to ensure trigger points fully release . The client will be taught self care techniques to help manage the return of trigger points.
What is a trigger point?
Trigger points are able to be felt as knots in a tight band of muscle that are tender when pressed on. It is a contraction of a small part of the muscle that does not relax easily. A symptom of a trigger point is referred pain, often making it hard to pin point exactly where the pain is coming from. Trigger points can cause not only muscular pain but symptoms such as tension headaches, jaw pain, earache, the stitch and the kind of pain in the neck that won’t let you turn your head.