Trigger point therapy is usually not an appointment by itself. You rarely see a massage menu that says: Trigger Point Therapy (60 Minutes)
Trigger Point Therapy is commonly used in conjunction with other forms of bodywork including:
Deep Tissue Work
Sports Massage
Prenatal Massage
Neuromuscular Therapy
Myofascial Release
Hot Stone (could burn client)
Physical & Occupational Therapy
The Mayo Clinic Defines a Trigger Point as:
“Sensitive areas of tight muscle fibers can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse. These sensitive areas are called trigger points. A trigger point in a muscle can cause strain and pain throughout the muscle.”[i]
Here's an instructor lesson about what a trigger point is, as defined at our school:
[i] Myofascial pain syndrome, Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myofascial-pain-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20375444, Found online May 6, 2022
Hot stone massage is known as thermal therapy (or thermotherapy) that increases circulation. It is an “Ancient Ritual” that provides “deep relaxation”.
Basalt molten lava is commonly used in hot stone massage. This is the traditional black volcanic rock that is known to absorb/retain heat well. The lava flow reaches between 700 to 1,200 °C which generates a lot of “energy” within the stone.
Reflexology is defined as the balance of art, application and science to help heal and promote well-being through the stimulation of reflex points.
Reflexology is currently practiced for a variety of reasons. Individuals with medical illness might seek reflexology sessions where conventional medicine has failed. Others could seek reflexology out of curiosity or for relaxation, enjoyment, general wellness, pharmacological-free treatment and more.
Reflexology application on the feet (out of all reflexology practices) has the greatest number published research studies for treatment of pain, headaches, PMS, multiple sclerosis, pregnancy, high blood pressure, oncology-related side effects, fibromyalgia, constipation and more. In many cases, foot reflexology was shown to be effective with a many different medical, physical and physiological conditions.
The biggest reflexology myth today is that it is a pseudoscience or junk science. This myth ignores the fact that foot reflexology has been repeatedly shown to be effective for many medical conditions, among multiple reflexologists from around the world, in many different countries with similar beneficial results; however, we still have much more to learn and understand to improve reflexology efficacy and reliability.
Cleaning and Washing Your Stones for Hot Stone Massage
BE THOROUGH & SANITARY. Most hot stone professional warmers will have a removable liner. Remove all materials from the warmer and then remove the liner. Wash the liner first prior to relining with a new towel and clean stones.
Stones must be individually washed in between each session, as shown here in this visual instructor demonstration video.
Use “grease cutting” dish detergent and a sponge and wash stones individually. Use a toothbrush with cleanser if it seems like there is any stickiness to the stone or any of the other hot stone materials.
Leave stone warmer unplugged between sessions. Keep all hot stone materials together always, so that you do not forget something important such as a thermometer or slotted spoon during your massage session.
Recharging Your Stones
Sometimes stones will might feel a little “sluggish” in energy, especially after extra use and/or cleaning. Some therapists feel the stones absorb client energies. To recharge your stones:
Lay stones outside during a Full Moon to recharge energetic properties
Lay stones in the grass or in rain if Full Moon is not available
In this quick instructor demonstration training video, we will show you how to setup your massage table at a sporting event, how to sanitize in between clients and how to redress your table if your table covering is ripped, torn or deteriorates during work hours:
Sometimes, when working a corporate onsite chair massage event, a massage therapist will come upon the occasional client with a headache.
Chair massage is highly portable, and can be easily practiced in almost any office or work setting.
The following is our instructor demonstration of how we would normally treat a headache during chair massage. This particular chair massage routine for headaches includes massage compressions, trigger point therapy application, myofascial release and other bodywork practices and skills.
Please keep in mind that we would have completed a thorough client and health history intake process prior to any hands-on work:
Gentle forms of massage such as aromatherapy affect your nerve endings. This could release chemicals called endorphins which can reduce pain. Stronger methods, such as Swedish massage, aim to stimulate your blood circulation and lymphatic system, relax muscles and ease knotted tissues that can cause pain and stiffness. Some types of massage such as shiatsu may also gently stretch parts of your body to release stiffness.
Why people use massage with cancer:
One of the main reasons people with cancer use massage is because it helps them feel good. It is a way they feel they can help themselves. Generally, massage therapy can help lift your mood, improve your sleep and enhance your well-being. There is some evidence to help support these benefits.
Massage for people with cancer is promoted as a natural way to help people relax and cope with:
stress
anxiety
headaches
pain
Research into massage and cancer:
There is no scientific evidence that massage can treat cancer. But it is commonly used to help people feel better, and to reduce some cancer symptoms and treatment side effects.
In 2011, a UK review looked specifically at trials using massage for women with breast cancer. There were 6 trials and the reviewers said that massage seemed useful as a supportive therapy. Massage seemed to help with symptoms of depression, pain and tiredness.
Specialty oncology training should be completed prior to practicing massage on anyone who has cancer, to review precautions, contraindications and more. You can find oncology bodywork and massage training at our school here at: https://ceinstitute.com/collections/oncology
[i] “General Cancer Information.” Massage Therapy | Cancer in General | Cancer Research UK, 12 Jan. 2015, about-cancer.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/complementary-alternative-therapies/individual-therapies/massage?_ga=2.61722852.999167709.1558910339-1995383506.1558910339.
Massage increases circulation. Circulation creates better tissue metabolism, including a delivery of oxygen and nutrients and improves venous return of poorly oxygenated blood.
Myofascial release bodywork on the other hand will improve massage therapy techniques, by removing tissue restrictions that restrict normal tissue metabolism and circulation.
Myofascial Release Techniques are DIFFERENT From Massage in the Following Capacities
There is no repeated compression
We are not directly increasing circulation or tissue metabolism
Myofascial release stretches and lengthens contracted tissues
Massage clients in a chair is a little different than providing service on a massage therapy table. A chair allows a practitioner to provide pressure in different directions than normally accessible on a table. The boney landmarks of the client's posterior body also require appropriate navigation when adjusting your hands-on skills for this new seated client position as well.
In this chair massage therapy instructor demonstration, we will provide a visual review of the different landmarks one should avoid while performing chair massage on the posterior body:
