That has been 90% of my work in the first 15 to 30 minutes on clients over the past twelve months. Usually between 1 and 4 very precise areas of underlying tissue that can have very different distinctions in the way each of those points are felt for both client and practitioner.
The client experience can present as tightness between shoulder blades, and perhaps a dull ache and pain that may radiate to other areas locally. This creates a triangular shape from the upper mid back to the base of the head and out to both shoulders, involving mainly the Trapezius (which has three divisions) and Rhomboids and involving two other muscles of the scapula, Infraspinatouse and Supraspinatouse. Each muscle, and group of muscles contain the tight bands of muscle fiber creating the "knot" or Trigger Point
As I approach these "knots", the common response is "that's the spot…thats it…". Another response is "what is that?"
The picture above shows an advanced static pressure therapeutic technique where the right arm is positioned behind the back with wrist and hand resting on the lower back. This causes the muscles to shorten drawing the scapula upward enabling the therapist to grasp the musculature. The thumb is used to penetrate the muscle belly at the site of the "knot"; the pressure of the thumb, in essence, simultaneously flushes and allows "new" blood to flow into the area, releasing the fibers that have been bound by injury, overuse, underuse and fatigue. I will add that, silently, the photo above tells us that there is some very clear communication between client and therapist. The photo below is another example of Trigger Point Therapy using a different approach and less depth, although the importance of communication using breathing, pain level feedback and appropriate technique does not change.
The client experience can present as tightness between shoulder blades, and perhaps a dull ache and pain that may radiate to other areas locally. This creates a triangular shape from the upper mid back to the base of the head and out to both shoulders, involving mainly the Trapezius (which has three divisions) and Rhomboids and involving two other muscles of the scapula, Infraspinatouse and Supraspinatouse. Each muscle, and group of muscles contain the tight bands of muscle fiber creating the "knot" or Trigger Point
As I approach these "knots", the common response is "that's the spot…thats it…". Another response is "what is that?"
The picture above shows an advanced static pressure therapeutic technique where the right arm is positioned behind the back with wrist and hand resting on the lower back. This causes the muscles to shorten drawing the scapula upward enabling the therapist to grasp the musculature. The thumb is used to penetrate the muscle belly at the site of the "knot"; the pressure of the thumb, in essence, simultaneously flushes and allows "new" blood to flow into the area, releasing the fibers that have been bound by injury, overuse, underuse and fatigue. I will add that, silently, the photo above tells us that there is some very clear communication between client and therapist. The photo below is another example of Trigger Point Therapy using a different approach and less depth, although the importance of communication using breathing, pain level feedback and appropriate technique does not change.