Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that makes it hard to move around and complete even the simplest of physical tasks. People will do just about anything to solve problems when it comes to chronic pain. If conventional medicines don't work, trigger point therapy can be a smart alternative.
Instructions
1. Stretch the joints and muscles in your body that are causing you the most pain. This will prepare the muscles to be worked by allowing oxygenated blood to flow in. The trigger points are small portions of a muscle that contract involuntarily and subsequently cause pain and dysfunction. Be sure to find the trigger points properly, as these may not always be the spots that hurt the most. But they are the causes of the pain.
2. Apply massage oil or medicated balm to the trigger point area. Heated ointments also increase blood flow and can help loosen up a muscle that is causing you pain. This also reduces friction on your skin, allowing you to massage the trigger point more effectively.
3. Press into the trigger point with a massage tool. These are widely available at department and drug stores and come in all different types. You should pick one that is more angular than round, as you'll want to be able to apply as much directed pressure to the trigger point as you can.
4. Practice shiatsu and other techniques on the trigger point. Shiatsu massage generally involves hard strokes performed with a thumb. You should apply and release pressure on the trigger point slowly, but you will have to use heavy pressure. Not only will light pressure be ineffective as spasms are persistent, but it may cause your muscles to contract as a defense mechanism.
5. Repeat your stretches after you apply repeated pressure to all of your trigger points to get lactic acid flowing from your muscles. Perform this procedure as often as you can and take note how well it is working.
Tags: trigger point, trigger points, blood flow, chronic pain, muscle that, pain This