Many people develop trigger points that cause pain in various parts of the body. Trigger points develop as a result of the muscle in the body being overworked or injured.
Identification
According to Trigger Point Book.com, trigger points are small knots of contractions that develop in a muscle. Normal muscle function causes muscle fibers to contract and relax, resulting in blood circulating throughout the area. Trigger points force the muscle fibers to contract and hold the contraction, which stops the flow of blood in the affected area. Irritation of the trigger point occurs when the area is starved of oxygen and the blood flow is interrupted, causing the trigger point to send out signals of pain through the body.
Symptoms
Referred pain is often the result of trigger points. This means that the trigger point directs the pain to another area of the body. Symptoms commonly associated with trigger points and referred pain are headaches, neck pain, jaw pain, back pain, elbow pain, dizziness, nausea and sinusitis.
Treatment
Massaging the trigger point is an effective way to restore blood flow to the affected area and reduce the pain associated with trigger points. Massage also helps to release the contracted muscle fibers in the area of the trigger point, which provides pain relief.
Tags: trigger point, muscle fibers, trigger points, with trigger points, affected area