Painscience explains that “Trigger points (TrPs) or muscle “knots” are sore spots in soft tissue that cause deep aching.”

Trigger points are usually described as micro cramps in scientific terms. They seem to grow like weeds around injuries in different areas of the body. They may be a major factor in back and neck pain, as a cause, a complication, or a bit of both.

Trigger point therapy is primarily rubbing and pressing on trigger points, which give feeling that, when performed correctly makes the receivers painful sensations significantly less.

Finding the right massage ball

Thephysiocompany say starting with a spiky or tennis ball is probably best for your clients that have not used one for their trigger points before. Trigger points can be massive sources of pain in our bodies and using self-massage techniques can be very satisfying when relieving discomfort. Trigger point balls are a great way for your clients to be more self-sufficient and save money if they are waiting some time for professional treatment or assistance.

Trigger Point Exercises and Techniques

Some pain can be difficult to treat, and it can be hard to know where to start treatment. Eliminating your clients Trigger Points is the main goal. By allowing your clients to carry out Trigger Point Exercises, if they are capable, will give them the chance to challenge their Trigger Points as well as discover any that may have not come across yet.

For example, if your client is sat at their desk all day at their computer hunched over a spike ball is very helpful to place in the centre of their back and shoulders. This technique will release any tension they hold as well as loosening knots in their shoulders. Massage sticks are also great to use when your clients are recovering from a sprain or have aching muscles from intense exercises.

“Who might benefit” and “what are the risks”?

Healthline explain that people who may benefit from trigger point therapy are those with lower back pain, cancer patients, people who suffer from sore muscles. In turn, this will help to aid muscle contractions and optimize muscular movement. Pain in muscles or soft tissue caused by sports injuries and poor posture can also be eased with Myotherapy which is an effective treatment to ease their aches and pain which includes the two primary treatments consisting of massage and tigger point therapy.

Myofascial is for people who suffer with constant headaches stemmed from tightened muscles around the neck. Vein damage in your clients' legs can also be improved through applying Myofascial therapy as it can release any persistent pain that may linger.

Here are some of the risks to make your clients aware of before releasing Trigger Points with Myofascial:

• Applying pressure to weak bones resulting in injury yourself or someone else, Alternatively, massage oil may soothe the area before releasing pain from trigger points.

• Massaging onto burns or injured wounds can be risky as it may cause more pain. Make sure burns, scalds or wounds are healing correctly, cleaned and covered before feeling confident to have pressure is applied to your clients trigger point area

Main Trigger Points

A handful of the trigger points most people suffer with are there:

• Shoulders – Tension and knots can build up and cause disruptions in your day-to-day activities such as walking, sitting and standing.
• Neck – Poor posture can lead to neck strain, so it is important to get your clients in the habit of sitting up straight with their shoulders back when at work.
• Back – To little or too much strenuous exercise can result in pulling a muscle causing long term pain if your clients leave it too late.

• Glutes - If your clients stretch correctly after exercising less pain will occur in their glutes from doing squats and other exercise that build muscle in their glutes.
• Feet – The arch of your clients' feet can hurt when exercising without the right supportive shoes which can lead to using a spike ball to relieve sharp pain which may occur when walking or standing on their tip toes.

All the above trigger points are caused by sprains, knots or major injuries in the workplace such as lifting heavy objects without bending of the knees or rapid movements.

Self-treatments

Below are a few products your clients may find useful that will help ease pain and discomfort.

The Spikey Massage Ball will help your clients achieve astimulating massage, relieving stubborn aching muscles and reducing deep muscle tension stemmed from overusing their muscles. If your clients rotate the Massage Ball where their trigger point is and repeat this twice a day, they will eventually feel the benefits after a couple of weeks.

BakBalls relieve back pain and are ideal for clients who are sports people, office workers or manual workers. Your clients will benefit from using the self-treatment Bakball because it prevents further lower back pain. Bakballs are great for your clients to apply mild to moderate pressure when massaging their back whether it feels tight or sensitive it is ideal for either.

The Trigger Point Massage Stick gives your clients a therapeutic massage where and when they need it most, targeting trigger points with the ridges on the Massage Stick. It is especially helpful for your clients to use on their legs to release aches and knots of pain that may disrupt their everyday activities.