What is a trigger point?
A trigger point is a small contraction knot in muscle tissue. It is found in the belly of the muscle and near its attachments. A point of irritability within the muscle or its fascia, it prevents full range of motion and is usually painful. It is usually painful when tension or pressure is applied to the shortened fibers. Releasing trigger points helps muscles regain full range of motion and increases flexibility.
Trigger points can be caused by muscle strain from sudden wrenching movements, chronic stress from muscle imbalance or overuse, falls, joint sprains or trauma to the muscle. Trigger points are either active or latent. An active trigger point aches and causes prickling pain or numbness related to nerve entrapment or throbbing vascular pain. Oftentimes, the referred pain from an active trigger point can create more dysfunction than the original trigger point.
Canine trigger point specialists use manual therapy to deactivate trigger points. Manual therapy has more specific effects on trigger points than dry needling and carries less risk to muscle attachments. The direct nature of manual deactivation as opposed to needling/injections is safer for surrounding blood vessels and nerves.
Differences between therapeutic massage and trigger point massage
Both types of massage are conducive to keeping the canine body healthy and flexible. However, they are very different both in the techniques used and in the overall scope of results.
Therapeutic massage induces relaxation through specific massage strokes help to lengthen, stretch and relax the muscles. Dogs undergoing therapeutic massage feel relaxed and muscles are lengthened and ‘loosened’ as a result of this type of massage. This type of massage relaxes the muscles in the dog’s body and helps to calm and releases tension resulting in a state of rest and relaxation.
In trigger point massage, ‘knots’ or lactic acid buildup points are located through palpation and manually deactivated without having to work entire muscle groups as in therapeutic massage. As a result, dogs often regain full range of motion and increased flexibility often resulting in immediate improvement as soon as the trigger points are released. The release of trigger points helps to reduce inflammation and restore tissue movement and muscle functionality. Canine athletes can immediately go from the massage table back to actively participating in their sport.
Click the button above to schedule your dog’s trigger point therapy session.
Texas & Oklahoma clients: Please click here to download the state’s mandatory veterinary acknowledgement form, which must be submitted at your dog’s first appointment.
Additional services offered: PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field therapy) in conjunction with your dog’s massage.