Trigger point therapy

Trigger points are irritable zones in tissue (in particular in the muscles) which are extremely sensitive to mechanical stress such as pressure or pulling. An active zone produces characteristic symptoms. A point which is spontaneously tender to the touch can cause referred pain in the muscles. A latent zone has the same negative potential.

The following factors cause (or lay the groundwork for) the development of trigger points:

• active overloading of a muscle
  
• chronic overloading of a muscle, especially in individuals with insufficient fitness
  
• Acute overextension of a muscle (tear)
  
• Direct traumatic impact or pressure on a muscle

Trigger points can be treated with the following measures:

• ischemic compression of the trigger point
  
• manual stretching of the region accompanied by the application of cold
  
• manual stretching of superficial fascia
  
• manual detachment of fascial adhesions
  
• selective therapeutic stretching
  
• autostretching