What to Expect During Your Trigger Point Session
Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy involves your participation. In trigger point therapy, you will be positioned upon the table according to what muscle groups the therapist is testing or treating. You may be asked to move against resistance or to breathe a certain way. Do not expect a passive session. You will move, stretch, and interact with the therapist the entire time.
Evaluation
To begin, we’ll perform a postural evaluation. Is your neck pulled to one side? One shoulder held higher than the other? Are your hips properly aligned?
In addition to postural analysis, we’ll test the range of motion of your muscles. If movement is restricted, the muscles controlling the affected area are palpated to locate the “trigger point.”
Your therapy is informed by your medical history, as well as your physical culture – the job you perform, the sports you participate in, even your daily activities. Each has a significant impact on pain and dysfunction. Your pain is then relieved through techniques of compression, myofascial release, corrective tissue biomechanics, and muscle energy techniques.
The Session
During your session, you will be fully clothed. However, shorts and t-shirts are ideal as the therapist will need access to your skin for some myofascial techniques. Jeans and more restrictive clothing simply make movement, and therefore treatment, more difficult.
Massage Therapy is more about relaxation. The therapist gently moves you or tells you what is needed throughout the session (such as turning over). Many people just close their eyes and completely relax.
Most massage techniques are traditionally performed with the client unclothed; however, you may decide what amount of clothing you prefer to wear for your own comfort. You will undress in privacy, lie on the table, and cover yourself with the sheet. You will be properly draped at all times to keep warm and comfortable. Only the area being worked on will be exposed.
Interested in an appointment and evaluation? Call us at 724-787-5915 to make an appointment.
