Massage recliners started out as simple chairs with vibration motors. Vibration has been used for a long time to relieve tension and stiffness in the muscles. Vibration is particularly effective in penetrating all the way through the muscle tissue to the bone.

Massage recliners have now integrated various technologies in order to perform full body treatments. Massage chair therapy is the use of massaging chairs to provide full body treatments.

Many health professionals such as medical doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists are now using massage chair therapy. Massaging recliners have the advantage of providing consistent therapy treatment. They can be precisely controlled and directed to massage specific areas or the whole body.

Many chiropractors and other medical professionals are used massaging chairs as part of a total regimen for their patients. For instance, chiropractors may use these recliners to warm up their patients prior to a chiropractic manipulation.

Massage recliners are also used to provide traction of the spine. Massaging recliners that use a roller system in the chair back. The patient is put in a recline position and with the force of gravity the rollers will pass over each vertebrae in the spine. As the rollers passed over them, the discs are flexed which helps to stretch out the soft tissue between them.

Massage chairs provide a number of different movements and techniques. It is common to now find massage techniques such as shiatsu, acupressure, reflexology, Swedish and deep tissue. Massaging lounger manufacturers have replicated many of the most popular and effective movements and techniques.

Massage recliners provide an automated means to deliver consistent full body therapy. They can also be programmed to target specific areas or to avoid specific areas depending on the needs of the patient.

Massage loungers also have other treatments in addition to massage therapy. Many massaging chairs now also have stretching systems. Stretching systems are available for the lower body and also for the upper body. The lounger will actually stretch out the legs or may stretch out the arms and shoulders.

It is also common to find MP3 players with headphones. This enables a medical professional to load soft music to the computer of the lounger. The soft music is then played for the patient to help with relaxation. This is used to calm the mind which helps the body to relax.

Many massage chairs also incorporate heaters. Heat is commonly used to help reduce swelling and to improve circulation. Massage recliners enable the health practitioner to apply heat specifically where it is needed.

Massage chair therapy is the automation of these various treatments. The advantages of a massaging lounger are that they can provide consistent pressure for a specific duration. They are programmable and are very repeatable. Human massage is tremendously variable and is not consistent from person to person.

Massage chair therapy is also available for in-home use. The same massage chairs which are used by health professionals are also available for use in your home or office. This enables you to have consisted access to massage therapy when you need it most.

Massage is one of the most ancient of healing arts. With the advent of technology, you can enjoy consistent and reliable massage treatments. Massage Chair Therapy provides you with unprecedented access and convenience. Select from many different feature sets with our massage chairs. We carry the top brands: Omega Massage, Panasonic and Sanyo.

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The Orthopedic massage therapy consists of three primary elements, irrespective of the medical treatment or injury involved. The elements include the following:
a) Assessing of injury
b) Matching the injury treatment
c) Adapting the treatment as required

All the three above mentioned points are very important as the therapy is different from other types of massage therapies in the way that it focuses basically on understanding the injury and the treatment it requires to heal up the injury.

Here are some of the primary benefits you can enjoy via going in for a Orthopedic massage therapy:

a) Benefit one – Enhanced blood circulation:
The therapy helps in increasing blood circulation and this is a great way to heal an injury.
b) Benefit two – Minimizes pain:
The massage can work wonders when it comes to reducing pain from the injury.
c) Benefit three – Provide relax:
The therapy is powerful enough to provide you immense relaxation to the muscles adjacent to the injured area.
d) Benefit four – Strength:
The therapy is very helpful in providing good amount of strength to the body muscles that have been weakened due to the injury.
e) Benefit five – Realignment of tissues:
The therapy is known to be really powerful when it comes to realigning damaged and dislocated tissues. This helps in preventing further damage or injury.
f) Benefit six – Releases adhesions:
This is known to be a scar tissue that can form due to an injury and tend to stick itself to adjacent muscles or other tissues.
g) Benefit seven – Minimizes tension:
The therapy is extremely beneficial when it comes to minimizing tension in case of sprains and other injuries.
h) Benefit eight – Performance enhancement:
The therapy is the top choice for athletes to enhance overall sports performance.
i) Benefit nine – Stress reduction:
We experience a lot of stress in our daily lives. The massage therapy is a boon to all those who want to get rid of daily life stress in body.
j) Benefit ten – Rejuvenates body:
Our body needs to get rejuvenated once in a while after all the stress, tension, hard work and other problems we face in our daily life. Hence, this therapy is recommended even if there is no injury in the body.

These days, several spas offer these services for a reasonable price. You can easily find an orthopedic massage therapy center near your area online or offline. All you require to do is to make some research and take time to analyze the services provided at a specific center.

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Massage therapy has a got a long binding relationship with Bodywork. Before we could understand the relationship between massage therapy and bodywork, we need to understand the definition of bodywork. Bodywork is practiced by anyone who has studied alternative medicine which deals with some form of touching or rational understanding of a human body. Bodywork could be classified in the umbrella of Somatic Disciplines which include any technique related to body-mind disciplines, movement therapy or body-mind integration.

All this leads us to a point that in most cases, bodywork and massage therapy are the same words with different definitions but are interchangeably used. The only difference that I could point out is that bodywork would encompass massage therapies and other types of touch and heal techniques. Bodywork allows the patient to benefit from a very effective treatment which would impact their posture in a positive way. Bodywork which is often combined with personal development and psychotherapy of the body is primarily used as a body relaxation technique. Massage therapy deals with application of pressure or touch on parts of the body or the whole body itself.

The procedure for a massage therapy applied on a person’s body is very simple. The person is asked to remove his clothes (happens only in some cases) and lie down on his stomach on a flat floor. A professional therapist starts massaging the body with his hands. The parts of the body which are highly impacted by a massage therapy are the spinal cord (upper and lower), hip and shoulders. Many massage therapies are also done with the help of an Ayurvedic or an Aromatic Oil which enhances the effects of the Massage Therapy. Massage is applied on the subject for him to avail of physiological benefits in the form of a therapeutic massage.

Massage therapy has acquired tremendous professional significance over the last few years because of which many entities have now started offering massage therapy and bodywork as a part of their services. When you go to such entities for a massage therapy, you would be made to lay flat on a massage table with you being partially disrobed or your body being wrapped around in towels. This is a highly controversial aspect of massage therapy as in some countries, private parts of the body like a man’s genitals or the nipples of woman are not draped at all. Thailand, a country which is famous for massage salons does not drape the private parts of the persons body at all.

Techniques of massage therapy and bodywork are undergoing a major sea-change in terms of the way they are practiced. Significantly, this form of treatment of body issues which do not have any side-effects of using a drug at all is gaining fast popularity in almost all parts of the world.

More massage therapy related articles and information at Massage Therapy and Bodywork [http://massagegalore.info].

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On June 17th, 2007 Texas Governor Rick Perry signed House Bill 2644. The bill amended Texas Massage Therapy law in a very positive manner. Effective September 1, 2007, candidates for massage therapy licensure must now have completed a more comprehensive training program of at least 500 hours in length, a significant increase over the previously required 300 hours. The new 500 hour training programs will meet the following requirements:

1) 200 hours taught by a licensed massage therapy instructor and dedicated to the study of massage therapy techniques and theory and the practice of manipulation of soft tissue, with at least 125 hours dedicated to the study of Swedish massage therapy techniques;

2) 50 hours of anatomy;

3) 25 hours of physiology;

4) 50 hours of kinesiology;

5) 40 hours of pathology;

6) 20 hours of hydrotherapy;

7) 45 hours of massage therapy laws and rules, business practices, and professional ethics standards;

20 hours of health, hygiene, first aid, universal precautions, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); and

9) 50 hours in an internship program.

Additionally, the bill eliminated the practical (hands-on) examination requirement. The elimination of the 6-minute practical exam eliminates the requirement for all massage therapy licensure candidates to travel to Austin to take the exam. Therefore, all massage therapy licensure candidates may take the written licensure exam near home instead of having to travel to the state capitol.

As written, the new law’s requirements do not affect any of the approximately 20,000 currently licensed massage therapists. The law also does not affect any massage therapy student pursuing a massage therapy training program provided the student was enrolled in the program before September 1, 2007.

The new requirements are meant to improve the quality of massage therapy provided in the State of Texas and to improve the professional image of Licensed Massage Therapists in the state. The new requirements also bring Texas’ massage therapy regulations more in line with other states regulating massage therapy and with the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB). So, it is likely that the new laws will improve license reciprocity, allowing Texas Licensed Massage Therapists to more easily relocate to other states and separately licensed municipalities.

Ben Crabtree is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Neuromuscular Therapist, and Neuromuscular Therapy Instructor in San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Crabtree’s practice is dedicated to relieving pain and dysfunction using Neuromuscular Therapy, Medical Massage and other bodywork techniques. Mr. Crabtree may be reached through his website http://www.sanantoniomassage-therapy.com

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Purpose

The goal is to advance the field of massage therapy and to promote and establish it as a viable therapy integral to good health. The AMTA works to set standards for care and ethical practice, support member therapists, to educate the public about massage therapy and its benefits, and to support legislative efforts in favor of massage therapy.

Who Can Join

Membership to AMTA is open to professionals and students pursuing a career in massage therapy. There is a fee to join and maintain membership; the fee is dependent on the level of membership chosen. Membership is offered at different levels for both students and practicing professionals, and each level of membership requires different qualifications.

What The AMTA Offers Clients And Consumers

Although the AMTA is an association which exists largely for the benefit of its members, the function of the organization is also to promote the art and science of massage therapy, and so the American Massage Therapy Association offers services to massage therapy clients and consumers as well.

The AMTA offers opportunities for the consumers and clients to advertise in their journal and on their website, but what it s most interested in doing for consumers is to educate them and assist in obtaining professional massage therapy services. This is done by

o Offering advertising and job posting services to consumers looking to reach massage therapists

o Offering a “National Locator Service” which can be used to locate a local therapist

o Promoting public education initiatives

o Offering informational resources for consumers

What The AMTA Offers Massage Therapy Professionals

The Association offers a number of different services to its members; access to services is dependent on the level of membership, and some services are available to non-members for a fee.

Professional services offered to therapists by the AMTA include

* Access to member’s section
* Informational resources
* Job search/listing services
* Inclusion in locator directory
* Continuing education opportunities
* Advertising opportunities
* Materials and resources for clients/public education
* Code of Ethics and core documents
* Industry demographics
* Professional support
* Access to insurance (liability, health, disability, optional insurances)
* Regulatory information and updates
* Professional publications
* Political/legislative voice

The American Massage Therapy Association, a member of the Federation of Therapeutic Massage, Bodywork, and Somatic Practice Organizations, represents over 56,000 massage therapy professionals. The AMTA is a valuable resource for both clients and therapists alike.

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What are the different types of Physical Therapy?

Physical Therapy is further categorized in major types of therapies based on the organs/parts of body which benefit from the treatment. The different types of Physiotherapy treatments are as follows:

o Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy – This treatment is primarily used for treatment of pain in the joints, tissues etc. A variety of treatments like exercises, manual therapies and treatment using electro-physical agents like cryotherapy, heat therapy and many more are used to treat pain in the parts of the body as discussed before. It is important that a Physical Therapy will be highly ineffective if the problem is not diagnosed properly.

o Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy – Many doctors treat complex internal issues like asthma, bronchitis and acute respiratory conditions. Since most of the ailments affect organs like the chest, throat, cysts, any physical modality used in treating these ailments will be highly ineffective in treating these ailments.

o Neurological Physical Therapy – Possibly, one of the complex forms of Physical Therapy. Neurological Physical Therapy, if done properly ensures that the motor functions and the nerve cells work properly. This is ensured by the fact that Neurological Physical Therapy reduces the motor defects which impair the working of the nerve cells.

How is Physical Therapy Massage connected to different forms of Physical Therapy?

o Physical Relief – When a massage is done properly, externally on a human body, it ensures that pain is reduced on different parts of the body. Massage like soft tissue massage will help relieve a soft tissue injury that a person sustained.

o Mental Relief – Most massages are provided to people intending that the customers gain mental benefit from the massage. How many times have we gone to a Salon with the need of cutting our hair and end up getting massaged by the ‘hair-cutter’? The medical reason behind this thought process is the fact that when done properly, the massage relieves a person of a lot of tension. It easies the muscles and nerves in a human body, thus ensuring that the circulatory system is in proper working shape.

The critical aspect of physical therapy massage is that it should never be done on a human body stand-alone and must be based on sound medical diagnosis of the ailment. For example, if a person is suffering from a pain in his wrists, it should be diagnosed properly with the help of X Ray and other Pathology reports and the physical therapy massage must be recommended by the doctor. Not doing this may result in serious consequences for the person who wishes to have the massage done on him.

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Massage therapy is applied to manipulate joints and the soft tissue of the body. Soft tissues include tendons and associated fascia, skin, ligaments and muscles.

Massage is one of the oldest forms of therapy practiced by the celebrated Greek, Roman, Chinese and Indian civilizations.

4700 years ago, ancient eastern Chinese practiced massage to heal a variety of ailments from paralysis to labour pains. Ayurvedha, a traditional form of Indian medicine uses a variety of aromatherapy oils and spices to give massage therapy.

Introduced in 19th century, the Swedish massage is the most practiced form in western culture. The Swedish therapy is said to have borrowed many of the techniques from Rome, Greece, Egypt and China.

In western hospitals, soldiers who fought in World War I were administered massage for nerve damage and to soothe shell shock. Many of our now popular modern massage techniques were created in order to heal specific health conditions.

When massage therapy is given to a person, many different physiological effects are achieved while the therapist’s hands move over the body. The different movements can physically stretch tendons and fascia, ligaments and muscles. Massage therapy also encourages the circulation through the tissue, inhibits muscular spasms and can be either stimulating or sedating to the nervous system.

Health problems can benefit from massage therapy since the manipulation of soft tissues affects many of our bodily systems.

Benefits from massage therapy are extensive. Massage therapy treatment can develop, rehabilitate or augment physical function. Relief from physical dysfunction and pain can also be achieved. Tightened and tense muscles can be relaxed. Massage therapy also improves the recovery time, circulation and immune system function. It creates a sense of relaxation and well being, reduces stress and controls acute or chronic pain by massage therapy.

Today, massage therapy is used for treating a wide range of ages – from senior to babies in a variety of intensive care, health club, and health clinic and hospital settings.

To get even glide and a smooth workability, oils are applied in massage therapy. Some popular oils used are Almond oil, Grapeseed oil, Apricot oil, Avocado oil, Jojoba oil, Wheat germ oil and Hazelnut oil.

Lucy Bartlett is a proud contributing author. Find more articles here. For more info visit Therapy Resource [http://onlinetherapyresource.info] or Massage Therapy [http://onlinetherapyresource.info/massage-therapy.html]

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Benefits of Alternative Massage Therapy for Arthritis Patients

Patients suffering from Arthritis get the following benefits out of alternative message therapy:

o Deep muscle and tissue relaxation
o Stress reduction
o Release of toxins from the body
o Increase in muscle flexibility
o Improved blood circulations
o Reduction in blood pressure
o Reduction in nervousness
o Tension and pain relief
o Heightened mental and spiritual awareness

While the benefits of alternative message therapy are numerous, it should also be noted that there are different types of physical massage therapies that tackle arthritis in their own way.

Deep Tissue Massage – Therapeutic Alternative Therapy

Deep Tissue massage includes aligning the deep layers of muscles and connective tissue. It is extremely helpful for tense and contracted areas such as sore shoulders, stiff necks and backs. It is also associated with acupressure which has therapeutic benefits to the body and eases arthritis pain and discomfort.

Swedish Massage – A Popular Choice

This massage technique is very popular. Physical therapists use massage oils and a techniques such as kneading, tapping and stretching in order to reduce muscle tension in arthritic patients. Swedish massage uses firm but gentle pressure to promote relaxation and is widely regarded as the most enjoyable type of massage without any side effects such as soreness.

Shiatsu Massage – Alternative Therapy from Asia

Shiatsu massage, also known as acupressure massage, is a finger pressure massage technique derived from ancient Asia. It involves the use of pressure points on specific parts of the body. Acupressure shares its similarities with acupuncture in that acupressure uses the same points that are stimulated in acupuncture.

Reflexology Massage Therapy – A Different Approach

Most massages techniques focus more on the neck, back and shoulders than the rest of the body. Reflexology Massage Therapy involves applying pressure to specific points on the hands, ears and feet in order to release tension. Since these organs are also connected to other parts of the body, the relaxing effect spreads throughout the body.

Myofascial Massage – Ignore the Muscle

Aside from Arthritic patients, this alternative therapy is very popular among sports athletes. It differs from all the other massage therapy techniques because it does not target the muscles itself. Rather, it targets the Fascia which is a membrane surrounding the muscles responsible for body structure and protecting internal organs.

Alternative Therapy and Arthritis Today

Today, the use of massage as an effective alternative therapy treatment for Arthritis continues to grow as more and more people learn about its benefits. Alternative therapy has been acknowledged by the medical establishment as a less invasive method of therapy for chronic conditions and is successfully being used as healing therapy at many medical facilities across the country. Furthermore, it breaks the cycle of pain that often goes along with arthritis. More and more people suffering from Arthritis are learning to experience pain relief as they are treated to the miraculous healing power of alternative massage therapy.

Alternative physical therapy

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Medical massage therapy procedure consists of mobilization of skin, fascia and muscular tissue, trigger point therapy, and post-isometric relaxation techniques. Each of these modalities is equally important in order to reach rapid and sustained results. For decades, massive utilization of medical massage has proven to be a safe and very effective method of treatment for the support and movement system disorders, inner organ disorders, stress management, and more.

In the last few years, there have been numerous arguments in within the professional community about practitioners utilizing manual therapy and trigger point therapy. In recent professional publications many authors have been raising the following questions: Is a trigger point a formation of fibroconnective tissue in muscles? Have histological studies ever been done on trigger points? Is there a theory of peripheral nerve pain at the motor end plate a new theory and the only theory? Are ischemic compression techniques for trigger point therapy safe and effective?

The brief answers on aforementioned questions are:

1. Fibroconnective tissue formation in muscles is myogelosis, an incurable muscular pathology.

2. In many cases myogelosis is the result of inadequate treatment of trigger points.

3. A trigger point is a pinpoint localization of pain that can be found in muscles, connective tissue, and periosteum. The morphology of this point of pain is such that the demand of blood supply is much higher than the actual blood supply.

4. The theory of peripheral nerve pain at the motor end plate is not a new theory.

5. Any theory must be supported by clinical output.

6. Ischemic compression as a method of trigger point therapy has been proven by at least 4 decades of massive utilization as a safe and effective method.

7. Ischemic compression techniques are applied by gradually increasing pressure, thus excluding the possibility of doing harm to the patient and to the therapist.

In the search for true understanding of pathophysiology, the body’s sophistication and complexity requires us to take an integrative approach to any issue. Thus I would like to present to the reader a short scientific review of the trigger point issue and the trigger point therapy concept.

The Nature of Trigger Points

There is no statement in the modern scientific literature that calls a trigger point a “taut band of fibro-connective tissue.” However, it was once used in the late 19th/early 20th century until histological studies conducted by German scientists (Glogowski, and Wallraff, 1951; Miehlke et al., 1950) showed that there is no connective tissue proliferation (myogelosis) in the area of a trigger point in muscles. “In our opinion, fibrositis (in regard to trigger points) has become a hopelessly ambiguous diagnosis… is best avoided” (Travell, Simons, 1983). However, connective tissue will grow between muscle fibers when a core of the myogelosis is formed (Glogowski, and Wallraff, 1951). Myogelosis is a clinical outcome of years of reactivation of the active trigger point in the same area. At the same time, trigger point therapy is useless if the core of the myogelosis is already formed.

In 1843, for the first time, the German physician Dr. F. Froriep described trigger points as painful formation in skeletal muscles. In 1921 another German scientist, Dr. H. Schade, examined them histologically and formed the concept of myogelosis. In 1923 the British physician Dr. J. Mackenzie offered the first pathophysiological explanation of the trigger point formation mechanism and formulated the concept of the reflex zones in the skeletal muscles where the central and peripheral nervous system play a critical role. The reflex zones concept was further developed by the American scientist Prof. I. Korr in 1941 in a series of brilliantly designed experimental studies. Thus, the trigger point concept was developed long before the work of Travell and Simons, who based their publication (see references in “Trigger Point Manual” by Travell and Simons) on the works of the scientists mentioned.

There are numerous published results of histological evaluations of the trigger point areas. Even in the short list of references at the end of this article you can find ample evidence under references 5, 6, 7, 13, and 15.

It is misleading to state that Dr. Travell and Dr. Simons recommended using ischemic compression for trigger point therapy. They advocated injection, stretch and spray techniques, and muscle energy techniques for trigger point therapy. Although, Travell and Simons did mention ischemic compression as an option based on the European medical sources, they never recommended it as a treatment method.

The Role of Vasodilators in Local Ischemia

Awad (1973) examined biopsy tissues from trigger points using an electron microscope and detected a significant increase in the number of platelets, which caused the release of serotonin and mast cells, which in turn released histamine. Both serotonin and histamine are potent vasodilators and their increase is a clear sign that body is trying to fight the local ischemia in the trigger point area. In his now classical work, Fassbender (1975) conducted a histological examination of the circulation in the area of the trigger point and proved once and for all that “… the trigger point represents a region of local ischemia.” The same results were obtained by Popelansky et al., (1986) who used radioisotope evaluation of blood circulation in the area of the trigger point.

The End Plate Theory

The end plate theory is not a new theory. Travell and Simmons constantly emphasize the nervous system as a critical factor in the development of the trigger point and point out the importance of end-plate zones. They even name special types of trigger points called “motor trigger points,” which are located in the middle of the muscle belly at the neuromuscular junction. “The functionally significant structure with regard to the innervation of muscle fibers is the myoneural junction (end-plate zone)…” and “Some trigger points are closely associated with myoneural junctions, others not.” (Travell and Simmons, 1983). The idea of the nervous system and the role of end-plate zones is not a new concept. As early as 1947 Prof. Korr addressed the same issues in his research.

According to histological studies (Heine, 1997; Gogoleva, 2001) chronic pain and low grade tension in the skeletal muscles and fascia are responsible for the low grade inflammation around the terminal parts of the sensory and motor neurons which end in the soft tissues. This chronic inflammation activates the local fibroblasts, which deposit collagen around the nerve endings forming so-called “collagen cuffs.” This additional irritating factor triggers an afferent sensory flow to the central nervous system, which is interpreted by the brain as pain. This mechanism is partially described by the generation of pain in the area of motor trigger points. We have to consider that the terminal parts of the sensory and motor neurons are located in the soft tissues, including skeletal muscles. In other words, it would be logical to assume that something must irritate the terminal parts of sensory and motor neurons. This something is a tension in the skeletal muscles, including trigger points that are not associated with motor trigger points (since they are located in other parts of the skeletal muscle). Keep in mind that any inflammatory condition, whether in motor end plates or in muscular tissue, means that there is a decreased amount of blood supply to this inflamed tissue. From this it follows that gradual ischemic compression can be viewed as an anti-inflammatory effort.

There is no doubt that myofascial pain can be the result of peripheral nerve abnormalities. An example of this would be the irritation of the sciatic nerve by an over-tensed piriformis muscle resulting in the formation of trigger points in muscles innervated by the sciatic nerve. This list can be continued because any peripheral nerve’s entrapment in the key areas will cause formation of trigger points in muscles innervated by this nerve.

If one examines a patient with peripheral arterial disorder (e.g., Buerger’s disease) one will find numerous active and dormant trigger points in the leg and foot muscles. It would most certainly be agreeable that insufficient arterial blood supply as a result vascular abnormality is responsible for the formation of trigger points in the skeletal muscles rather than abnormalities in the motor end-plates. The same is true for trigger points in the skeletal muscles, which are developed as a result of chronic visceral disorders (e.g., patients with cardiac disorders exhibit active trigger points in the trapezius, levator scapulae, and rhomboideus muscles). In such cases the end-plate abnormalities do not have anything to do with formation of trigger points in the skeletal muscles. They are the result of the phenomenon of convergence of pain stimuli within the same segments of the spinal cord, which are responsible for the innervation of both the affected inner organ and the skeletal muscles. In 1955 Dr. Glezer and Dalicho formulated the theory that still stands clinically proven. They proposed and developed maps of reflex zone abnormalities of the skin, fascia and muscles, including trigger point development.

The Energy Crisis Theory

There is another theory, which links formation of trigger points with the shortage of ATP in the affected muscles as a result of insufficient arterial circulation. ATP is the energy source for cellular function, including muscles. Authors of this theory, called the Energy Crisis Theory, pointed out the formation of the trigger points in very healthy athletes who did not have signs of peripheral nerve abnormalities and still developed active trigger points. Gradual increase of the resting muscular tone in normal muscles triggers local vasoconstriction, interstitial edema, and ATP exhaustion with the subsequent formation of active trigger points. Prof. D. Simons reviewed this theory as well, and even used extensively works done by his colleagues, Dr. D.R Hubbard and Dr. G.M. Berkoff, in his own research.

Trigger Point Therapy Protocol

Ultimately trigger point therapy has the following goals:

1. Eliminate protective muscular tension in the muscles that harbor active trigger points.

2. Eliminate condition of the hyperirritability of the peripheral receptors, especially pain receptors.

3. Block the pain-analyzing system of the patient.

4. Produce reflex vasodilation.

5. Eliminate local ischemia.

To effectively achieve these goals the practitioner should conduct trigger point therapy utilizing several equally important components:

1. Detect location of the active trigger point.

2. Detect the pathway of pain radiation and examine tissues along this pathway in case satellite trigger points are formed.

3. Place finger in the trigger point. Slowly apply vertical compression of the tissues until the patient feels the first sign of pain. As soon as he or she reports it stop increasing pressure but maintain it at that same level. After 10 seconds of pressure application, the pain that the patient initially felt will disappear. The patient should immediately report to you as soon as he or she feels the pain cease. During the next 20 seconds the practitioner will be able to get to the “bottom” of the trigger point without unwanted activation of the pain analyzing system and generating protective muscular tension in the affected muscle or muscles in the region.

4. To accomplish the first three goals apply effleurage and kneading techniques on the affected muscles in the inhibitory regime for 5-7 minutes (comfortable gradual increase of pressure, in the same direction of the strokes).

5. Exit the trigger point as fast as possible to produce quick and effective vasodilation and elimination of the local ischemia.

The correct protocol of trigger point therapy does not have pitfalls. This protocol is equally effective for the motor trigger points, as well as for other trigger points. The applied pressure is never strong enough to go over the patient’s threshold of pain, causing the pain and injury of motor nerve endings. Peripheral vasodilation restores local pH to normal, increases oxygenation of the tissues in the area of the trigger point, and gradually eliminates the trigger point.

References

1. Awad, E.A.: Interstitial myofibrositis: hypothesis of the mechanism, Arch. Phys. Med. Rehab, 54(10):449-453, 1973

2. Fassbender H.G. Pathology of the Rheumatic Diseases. Springer-Verlag, New York, 1975

3. Froriep, F. Ein Beitrag zur Pathologie und Therapie des Rheumatismus. Weimar, 1843.

4. Glezer, O., Dalicho, V.A. Segmentmassage. Leipzig, 1955

5. Glogowski, G., Wallraff, J. “Ein beitrag zur Klinik und Histologie der Muskkelharten (Myogelosen)”, Z. Orthop., 80:237-268, 1951

6. Gogoleva, E.F. “New Approaches to Diagnosis and Therapy of Fibromyalgia associated with Spondylosis.” Ther. Arch., 4:40-45, 2001.

7. Heine, H. Lehbruh der biologischen Medicine. Stuttgart, Hippokrates, 1997.

8. Hubbard, D.R., Berkoff, G.M. “Myofascial trigger points show spontaneous needle EMG activity”, Spine, 18:1803-1807, 1993.

9. Korr, I.M. “The Neural Basis of the Osteopathic Lesion.” JAOA, 47(4): 191-198, 1947.

10. Kreymer, A.Y. Vibration Massage in Diseases of the Nervous System.

Tomsk University, Tomsk, 1987.

11. Mackenzie, J. Angina Pectoris. Henry, Frowde & Hodder & Stroughton, London, 1923.

12. Mezlack, R., Wall, P. “Pain Mechanism: A New Theory.” Science, 150 (Nov): 971-979, 1965.

13. Miehlke, K., Schulze, G., Eger, W. ” Klinische und experimentelle Untersuchungen zum Fibrositis-syndrom. Z. Rheumaforsch, 19:310-330, 1960.

14. Popelansky, Y.Y., Zaslavsky, E.S., Veselovsky, V.P. Medicosocial significance, etiology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of non-articular diseases of soft tissues of the lims and back. Vorpr. Rheumat., 3:38-43, 1986.

15. Schade, H. “Untersuchungen in der Erkaltungstrade: III. Uber den Rheumatismus, in besondere den Muskelrheumatismus (Myogelose).” Munch. Med. Wschr., 68, 95-99, 1921.

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Boris Prilutsky, MA, has been teaching medical massage for over 30 years. He is the founding director of the Institute of Professional Practical Therapy (IPPT) in Los Angeles, Calif., and graduated from the Pedagogic Institute of Higher Education in Vinnitsa, Ukraine, with a degree in physical education, and Medical College in Ramat-Gan, Israel, with a major in chiropractic medicine. Boris has worked with athletes and athletic organizations throughout Europe, has been a personal therapist to many world dignitaries, and has trained thousands of therapists worldwide. He also treats patients with various neural, muscular and skeletal disorders at the Back and Limb Institute in Beverly Hills, California. (310) 550-6109

If you would like to view hands on demo, please click the link below:

http://medicalmassage-edu.com/dvd-details.php?dvd_id=27&dvd=12

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