• Trigger Point Massage

  Filed under Types of massage
  Nov 29

   

  Trigger point massage is one of reflex therapy methods consisting of mechanical impact with your fingers or an instrument replacing it mainly to the same acupuncture points (the biologically active points (BAT)) which are used in needle therapy.

  Compared to the needle therapy (acupuncture) trigger point massage has many benefits:
  1) it is painless;

  2) for this reason it can be used when it is difficult to insert needles to hyperesthesia and hyperpathy zones;

  3) in pediatric and geriatric practice;

  4) for patients who have negative reaction to acupuncture.

  Sometimes reflex therapy course begins by A.P. (acupuncture points) massage, and then it is continued with needle therapy.
  During trigger point massage, complications are avoided: bleeding, infection, needle breakage or skin burns occurring during AP heating.

  Compared to classical massage, trigger point massage has advantages:
  - the load is more accurately dosed and it is possible to differentiate it at the different stages of disease;

  - it is possible to inhibit or activate the nervous and muscular system, internal organ functions;
  - trigger point massage distinguishes by higher precision and flexible effect enabling the simultaneous relaxation of one kind muscles and stimulation of another kind of muscles, what is particularly important in the treatment of central deadfall paralysis.

  In some diseases, trigger point massage can be combined with classical and segmental massage. Trigger point massage is an integral part of modern complex rehabilitation nervous system and internal organ disease treatment. Trigger point massage reduces the intensity of medicine, in particular anesthetic, miorelaxation and anti-allergic medicine therapy.

  FROM THE HISTORY TRIGGER POINT MASSAGE

  Trigger point massage together with needle therapy is one of the oldest treatment methods widely used in the East: China, Korea, Mongolia, Tibet, and Japan. For the first time trigger point massage was mentioned in the 2nd-3rd century B.C. This treatment method was already mentioned in the multi-volume ancient Chinese treatise “Chuandi Neiczin” (221 B.C.) Among the classic 9 shapes of needles 2 massage needles are mentioned: narrow with rounded corn size tip and round. In the 1st and 2nd century trigger point massage (using Schzen method) widely spread in China.

  Currently, trigger point massage received international recognition and is applied using different names: in the Western and Central Europe, as well as North America it is called Acupressure, in Japan – Amma. In addition, during the recent decades in Japan relative methods of reflex therapy were developed: Shiatsu system (massage with fingers) and Cubo therapy – long-term stimuli of acupuncture points (AP) by 1 mm diameter metal balls fastened by plaster to the skin.

  The initiator of trigger point massage for the treatment of nervous system diseases was Prof. E.D. Tykochinskaia School in St. Petersburg V.M. Vechterev’ Name Psichoneurology MTI. In 1969 Tykochinskaia suggested and later in 1975 Leontieva developed a detailed trigger point massage and therapeutic gymnastics compatibility methodology for the treatment of central deadfall paralysis. A.T. Kachana (1972, 1977) described the trigger point massage techniques for the treatment of various forms of facial nerve inflammation. During the last 10-15 years Gorochovskij G. Luvsan, D.M. Tabeieva and others apply trigger point massage for the treatment of various nervous system and interior organ diseases.

  UNDERSTANDING OF MERIDIANS AND ACUPUNCTURE POINTS

  The human body is a complete unit: its individual parts, internal organ systems are linked with each other. Harmonious interaction between them is caused by nerve relation, and according to the data of the ancient Oriental medicine which is further supported by modern researches it is also caused by energy metabolism (China – Ci, India – Prana). Energy circulates through the so-called meridian system. Meridian passes through certain points which are situated on the subcutaneous layer from 3-5 mm to several centimeters deep. These points are called acupuncture (acupressure) points and are related to interior organ functions. In 1985 the data published in France confirm the existence of meridian existence anatomically: radioactive isotopes, entered into acupuncture points fairly quickly (within 4-6 minutes. up to 30 cm) spread according to the sequence of meridians, while entered in non-acupuncture points they remain at the injection site. It is now thought that the meridian activity depends on the cerebral cortex and sub-cortical centers.

  Thus, the meridian is the functioning system, which connects the highest nerve centers with acupuncture points and different internal organs. This system circulates the energy ensuring the work of all body systems as a whole.

  “IN – JAN” concept. The approach of ancient Oriental medics to the action mechanism of trigger point massage was based on two entities of IN and JAN fight theory and is related to the human body functions associated with natural phenomena.

  The man is healthy, when the main opposite springs – light positive JAN and dark negative IN – are in equilibrium. In case of sickness JAN may prevail – it is the syndrome of certain organ or meridian function excess, of IN prevail – syndrome of lack. In modern science approach JAN – IN theory can be considered as the vegetative nervous system sympathetic (JAN) and parasympathetic (IN) interconnection (MONADA).

  “U – SIN” concept – the opposites of five primeval elements of IN – JAN have transition points – the morning-evening, spring-autumn, the day gives birth to the day, there is dynamics and cycle repetition: the birth (morning), the maximum activity (day), stalling (evening), minimum activity (night). The ancient doctors attribute the Tree to the birth, Fire to the maximum activity, Metal to stalling, and Water to the minimum activity. Since everything happens on Earth – the Earth is in the centre.

  Two organs were assigned to each element (1 – IN + 1 – JAN). There is a creative and destructive relation among these organs and the primeval elements.

  “CI” concept. From birth to death circulation CI is taking place through meridians according to the cycles.

  Circulating through the body the vital energy of CI passes through all body organs, starting and finishing the whole cycle within twenty four hours. Internal and external factors that may disturb the equilibrium, and then one falls ill.

  When one meridian reaches maximum activity, the meridian in front of it has the minimum activity (Hours).

  “CZIN – LO” concept. When new defined activity points were found in China, they, they were connected with each other by lines, the total number of which was 14, or “life channels” which the Europeans later called the meridians.

  Each meridian has its own topography and consists of internal and external process. The points located in the external process. Internal process – is the relation of the external meridian with interior organs; it has elaborate, intricate contours.
  Meridians differ from each other by length, the number of points included and direction. The longest meridian is the bladder meridian VII (V) – 67 points, the shortest – heart meridian V (C) and pericardial meridian IX (MC) – 9 points.

  Out of 14 meridians there are 12 paired (or symmetrical) and 2 unpaired meridians – the rear middle (T) and middle front (J). In addition, the described 8 so-called “miraculous” meridians are distinguished because they do not have their “own” special points, and “borrow” them from the classic meridians.

  The object of the trigger point massage is to restore the energy balance of the human body.

  No Comments

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.