Muscle knots, also known as trigger points or myofascial pain, are tiny knots of overly contracted or stressed muscle groups that often act as a source of chronic pain. These knots can be found in any body part but most commonly in the neck, back, and shoulder regions. There are several different types of muscle knots, but they all bring on the same level of pain, which is why they are so distressing. Massage therapy and other bodywork forms have been used for centuries to treat muscle knots. While trigger point therapy is a more recent addition to the world of complementary and alternative medicine, it is quickly becoming one of the most effective treatments for muscle knots.
Trigger point therapy is a form of massage that focuses on identifying and releasing taut muscle fibers called “trigger points.” These trigger points are hypervigilant spots within the muscles that have
been injured or experienced an acute bout of stress at some point in their lives. As a result, they tense up and remain contracted—causing inflammation, pain, and weakness throughout the area.
Trigger point therapy is not just about finding and massaging these trigger points; it’s about understanding what caused them to become sensitive in the first place so you can avoid triggering them again.
I got an update from William Huhn on his trigger point courses.
He has been presenting them in New Westminster, Nanaimo, and Poland.
Mark down the dates that Bill will be in New Westminster:
- Understanding Trigger Points to Overcome Pain with William N. Huhn – April 16, 2011
- HANDS-ON: Trigger Point for Lumbar, Hips, Buttocks, and Groin Issues – April 17, 2011
Here is a fascinating update from Bill.
Trigger Point in Poland – August 2010
This past August, I had the pleasure of presenting one of my newest workshops in Warsaw, Poland. And as a tourist, I must say Poland is a beautiful place, and I recommend visiting Warsaw. The people are friendly, the architecture is fantastic, the food is delicious (not to mention the delicious coffee), and everything is reasonably priced compared to western Europe! Where else can you dine in a restaurant that first opened its doors way back in the 14th century! And without hesitation, I would recommend a visit to Krakow. The Old Town is rich with history and very “European.”
I presented a newly written 5-day (35-hour) workshop at the request of the Warsaw host, Sylwia Paszkiewicz.
The Polish Society of Physiotherapy accredits this newest workshop. All 24 attendees were physiotherapists, and they’ll now be incorporating their unique (and developing) Trigger Point skills with their patients. Of course, 35 hours of training only scratches the surface regarding Trigger Point bodywork. But they are eagerly on their way to discovering the substantial benefits of this therapy! And that’s the objective of my workshops and courses. I wish them all the best.
I’m looking forward to the upcoming Trigger Point workshops in New Westminster with Rick Kaselj in April 2011 and, of course, to the other 5-day workshops scheduled for Canada and Europe! Next August, we’ll be back in Warsaw and do it all again with a new group. And a 35-hour specialty workshop regarding autonomic phenomena is also in the works for Amsterdam in July 2011.
Benefits of Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy is one of the most effective methods of pain management. It provides near-instantaneous relief from chronic muscle pain and can also help you avoid surgery and medication in the long run. By identifying and releasing all the trigger points within a muscle, trigger point therapy can treat the root cause of the pain without relying on painkillers or muscle relaxants. As a result, trigger point therapy can help you manage your chronic pain in the short-term but also help you get back to doing the things you enjoy without restrictions.
William Huhn
Bill has a lot of stuff on the Exercises for Injuries blog. Here are some of the other articles, interviews, and videos Bill has on this site:
- Headaches and Trigger Point Therapy
- Trigger Point Therapy Protocol for Rehabilitation of a Shoulder Injury
- Trigger Point Therapy and Rotator Cuff Exercises
- Why Your Clients Should Stop Exercising and Get Trigger Points Therapy
- Manual Therapy Techniques for Treating Myofascial Pain
- Addressing Trigger Points for Shoulder Pain
Rick Kaselj, MS
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