Musculoskeletal Pain and Dysfunction

Skeletal muscle is the largest single organ of the human body and accounts for 40% or more of the body's weight. Until now, medical science has virtually ignored the vital importance of the muscular system as a major cause of acute and chronic pain and dysfunction. Modern advances in prevention and treatment have eliminated or brought under control many of the severe illnesses which a generation ago afflicted people. Health professionals now have a greater opportunity to pay attention to the challenge of acute and chronic stress and strain of the musculoskeletal system.

Trigger Points

As a result of traumatic injury, lack of exercise, over exertion, faulty diet, or the constant assault of the stress and irritation of daily living, we are prone to develop one or more highly irritable spots within muscles referred to as Trigger Points. Trigger Points are the most neglected causes of all muscle pain, yet they are extremely common and will become a distressing part of nearly everyone's life at one time or another.

These points are often recognised during examination. They are usually tender to touch and will radiate pain or sensations to distant, seemingly unrelated area's of the body. Normal muscles are not tender to firm pressure, and will not refer pain in response to firm pressure. If untreated, trigger points and their resultant muscle spasms will spread and often lead to a complex variety of painful symptoms and complications.

The search for trigger points requires thorough and careful examination by a trained therapist. Trigger Points are not the same as pressure points used in acupressure or acupuncture. While pressure points are the same in everyone, trigger points are unique to each individual.

As a result of the treatment it is not uncommon to experience:

• Decreased bodily toxicity (tissue acids)
• Greater flexibility & mobility
• Increased energy & vitality
• Increased sense of well-being
• Improved postural patterns
• Increased tissue warmth-circulation
• Reduction or cessation of pain and trigger-points
• Improved sleep patterns

Massage therapy allows a reversal of the stress-tension-pain cycle. Pressure specifically interrupts afferent impulses to the spinal cord, reduces the intensity of nervous activity within the tissue and mechanically forces out toxic irritants which have accumulated at nerve receptor sites. The muscle then relaxes, circulation is increased, and the body returns to normal neuromuscular integrity and balance. Flexibility and strength may then be effectively obtained and maintained.

Does Massage Therapy Hurt?

There is a certain amount of tenderness in any deep muscle therapy when the muscle is "tight". The greatest discomfort is usually experienced after the first treatment. Mild pressure does not elicit pain in normal healthy relaxed tissue, therefore the presence of pain during the physical manipulation of the tissue is a valuable guidline to the therapist. It indicates those areas where adhesions, muscular spasms, trigger points and cellular toxins are located. Continuous feedback from the client is encouraged to ensure that the therapy is conducted with the minimum degree of discomfort. It is often described as "it's a good hurt"!

What Are Some Possible Side Effects After the First Few Treatments?

It is not unusual for some individuals to experience soreness and general fatigue after the initial treatments. This is because muscles which have been locked into contracted states fill with toxins and waste products. These are some of the same acids and neurological irritants which created muscle soreness after an intense aerobic workout or an afternoon of yard work. During a treatment these trapped toxins are manually forced back into the blood stream for removal. The large quantity of toxins are primarily responsible for for the feelings of soreness and fatigue. However, plenty of water and rest should relieve this condition. The most important point is not to be alarmed by changes that the body is adjusting to. The beneficial physiological changes are cumulative, and the change is necessary to create new and improved patterns of movement.

To enhance the move toward a high level of health:

• Implementation of appropriate stretching and exercise program
• Optimum nutrition
• Sleep, rest and relaxation are also important factors
• Low stress levels

The therapy may put the tissue into a healing mode; however, it is up to the individual to make the most of it.

Sports Injuries and Massage Therapy

1. As the most neglected cause of athletic injury and muscle pain, trigger points can literally trigger pain and spasm. The prolonged muscle tension, chronic strain, and traumas which often accompany intense athletic activity can set the stage for development of one or more trigger points and associated painful muscle spasms. If untreated the episodes of pain caused by trigger points will increase in frequency, duration and intensity, often to the point where the athlete feels almost totally disabled. As a result of the affected muscle being in a constant state of hypotonia (spasm) there may be a considerable degree of secondary joint misalignment further increasing the chance of future pain and injuries.
2. It is important to bear in mind that trigger points can and often do occur in well conditioned athletes, thereby leaving them particularly prone to unnecessary injury and disability.
3. Sports massage increases blood flow to a particular area. This speeds up the removal and utilisation of metabolic waste products and increases the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the soft tissue, accelerating recuperation. Coordination and power depend on the ability of a muscle to relax as well as contract.
4. Research has led to the conclusion that most sports injuries simply should never occur. With this in mind, massage therapy offers another step in the treatment and prevention of sports related injuries.

What Specific Health Problems Have Responded Successfully to Massage Therapy?

Naturally there are some situations where deep tissue therapy is contraindicated for a period of time. Usually this applies to a particular area only and not the entire body. In these cases, working on the secondary affected areas is of prime importance in aiding the healing process. We are happy to work with any guidlines set by your doctor, and to refer you to other health professionals when needed. I believe that you are ultimately responsible for your own health and I will offer you a program that will meet your individual needs.