Is it a Knot or a Trigger Point?

By Jaemie Ashworth, CMT
Professional Therapeutic and Sports Massage Therapist

Think of that painful spot in your shoulder that just makes your life miserable or perhaps the one in your neck that wakes you up at night.   Touching these places feels hard and painful.  We often refer to these nasty trouble makers as “knots” because they often feel like a knot when we touch them. 
These knots are actually trigger points. 

Therapeutic Massage:  A Powerful Ally 

By Jaemie Ashworth, CMT

Professional Therapeutic and Sports Massage Therapist Massage has existed for centuries.  As human beings, we have a natural instinct to "rub away pain".  There’s no denying the power of massage. Regardless of the adjectives we assign to it (pampering, rejuvenating, therapeutic) or the reasons we seek it out (a luxurious treat, stress relief, pain management), massage can be a powerful ally in your healthcare regimen Benefits of Massage Therapy:

• Alleviates low-back pain, headaches and improves range of motion.
• Enhances immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body’s natural defense system.
• Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
• Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.
• Improve the condition of the body’s largest organ—the skin.
• Increase joint flexibility.
• Lessen stress, depression and anxiety.
• Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
• Pump blood, oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
• Reduces spasms and cramping.
• Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
• Releases endorphins—amino acids that work as the body’s natural painkiller.
• Reduces fatigue and improves sleep quality.
• Increases energy.
• Improves focus and concentration.
• Reduces pain and swelling caused by strained muscles and sprained ligaments and reduces post-surgery adhesions.
• Stimulates weak and inactive muscles resulting in a faster, more complete recovery from illness or injury.
• Facilitates the removal of the toxins that collect in fatigued muscles and surrounding myofascia.
• Therapeutic massage is one of the best ways to assist your body’s ability to perform 100% in stressful conditions at the workplace or at home.

Increase the Benefits with Frequent Visits

As you can see from the list of benefits above, massage therapy can do you a world of good. Getting massage frequently can do even more. This is the beauty of bodywork. Taking part in this form of regularly scheduled self-care can play a huge part in how healthy you’ll be, how you can manage stress and how youthful and active you’ll remain with each passing year.  Budgeting time and money for bodywork at consistent intervals is truly an investment in your health. Keep in mind that just because massage feels like a pampering treat, that doesn’t mean it is any less therapeutic. Consider massage appointments a necessary component of your health and wellness plan.  Our Massage Therapy Team at South West Health will work with you to establish a treatment schedule that best meets your needs.