I’ve always enjoyed simplicity with most things in my life.
A good glazed donut out classes a donut covered in Cap’n Crunch any day of the week. The ease of playing Super Mario World and the enjoyment that comes from that, is something that can’t be seen in the complex games of today. And taking a complex idea and removing all the flowery writing and $10 words when a 10¢ word works just fine––and will usually keep your reader in the flow–– is a breath of fresh air.
Less is more––and that’s what this series is going to focus on.
“Back to The Basics” is going to focus on the main terms, symptoms, and conditions that we see in the world of bodywork, psychology and general health.
My goal is to strip down all the fluff that this generation has become obsessed with. Who’s got the time for that anyways? The easier it becomes to learn about these terms––let alone read something––the easier it becomes to be self-empowered.
To kick this bitch off, I’m starting with trigger points! Something so simple, but yet 1 out of 2 people who come in for a massage ask me, “so what’s a knot anyways?”
TRIGGER POINTS (KNOTS)
For starters, a ‘knot’ is officially known as a trigger point. In the laymen world, however, calling that mini boulder next to your scapula (shoulder blade) a knot is way more kosher than throwing around the words ‘trigger point’. L’Chaim.
What: So what even is a trigger point anyways? In it’s simplicity, a trigger point is knotted up muscle that can cause pain. The pain can be felt immediately if pushed on, but usually associated with a trigger point, someone will notice a consistent dull achy pain somewhere in the body.
That pain that I’m speaking about is known as ‘referral pain patterns’ and we can see it in this picture:
The X indicates the trigger point itself, and the red areas are where someone may notice that consistent dull achy pain. When the trigger point is release those red areas of pain will go with it. All the more reason to get worked on.
How: We usually get trigger points through poor postural mechanics, overuse, injuries, and sedentary lifestyle. An area in the body that tends to start out around the size of a pea, can work its way up to the size of a quarter through continual contraction of individual muscle fibers.
Treatment: There are many different ways to get rid of trigger points, but obviously I’m gonna recommend massage as the most effective way to release trigger points because, well, it just is.
Acupuncture is also another good way, or what I usually recommend to my clients in between massage is to use a lacrosse ball up against the wall. People will use a tennis ball, but I feel as if they have too much give. If you can’t handle the lacrosse ball, start with ta tennis ball and work your way up.
Remember to breathe throughout it! Holding your breath will only make sure that the trigger point doesn’t release.
