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What is myofascial trigger point therapy?
How does trigger point therapy differ from regular kinds of massage therapy?
What should I expect from my first session?
What should I wear?
How quickly will I see improvement?
Will I experience any negative effects?
Do you accept credit cards?
What is your tipping policy?
How often should I get a treatment?
Can you treat medical conditions or injuries? If so, is insurance accepted?
I can’t make it to my appointment. Is there a cancellation fee?
What is myofascial trigger point therapy?
To fully understand myofascial trigger point therapy, it’s important to start with the question, “Where does muscular pain and injury come from?” Myofascial (a word meaning muscle tissue” (myo) and the connective tissue in and around it (fascia)) pain often results from muscle injury or repetitive strain. When stressed or injured, muscles often form trigger points, like contracted knots, that cause pain and tightness.
Trigger points are painful when pressed on, cause a shortening of the muscle fibers, and have a special property called referred pain. Referred pain means that a trigger point in one muscle can create pain in another area. Sometimes you might have pain in one area that’s actually caused by a trigger point in a completely different area.
Myofascial trigger point therapy is a modality of massage therapy that works to alleviate pain, increase movement and mobility, and even improve sports performance by identifying these trigger points and then releasing them.
How does trigger point therapy differ from regular kinds of massage therapy?
There are over 200 massage techniques and types, all treating different needs and providing various benefits. Generally, if you are looking for relaxation and a “spa experience,” trigger point therapy is not the kind of massage you’re after. The most common type of massage used for relaxation and stress relief is Swedish massage.
Deep tissue massage is also well-known, and is often used for pain relief, but deep tissue massage focuses on various traditional massage techniques to work the tissue in a larger area, where trigger point therapy focuses on specific, dysfunctional muscles containing trigger points, based on the initial evaluation. Sports massage is another common type of massage therapy that combines Swedish, Shiatsu, and other techniques to concentrate on areas that are specific to your sport. Trigger point therapy focuses attention on trigger points that may be hampering your mobility and/or creating pain so that you increase mobility and range of motion and experience pain relief, improving sports performance.
What should I expect from my first session?
You should plan to arrive ten to fifteen minutes before your scheduled appointment to allow time for paperwork. If you arrive late, your treatment will still end on time in consideration of the next client.
Your therapist will greet you and show you to the treatment room, where you will discuss your health history, bodywork experience, preferences, and goals. Your therapist also analyze your posture to identify structural imbalances contributing to your pain or tension. This information helps us design your session to best address your needs. If there are any areas of your body that you would rather we avoid, please let your therapist know at this time. ?
Throughout your session please simply relax, breathe and allow us to move your limbs without assistance. Your therapist will check in with you periodically for feedback on pressure and your general comfort. Please speak up if you become uncomfortable for any reason. If you feel pain, if you need more pressure, if the room is too warm or too chilled, if the music too loud, if your sinuses become uncomfortably congested, we need you to let us know! Our work will be most effective if you are comfortable and completely relaxed. ?
When your session is over, your therapist will leave you to rest for a few minutes. Take your time getting up, note any changes in your body, and let everything sink in. When you're ready, come back to the reception area and enjoy a glass of water before checking out.
What should I wear?
During the myofascial trigger point therapy session, your therapist will need easy access to the areas of your body that require treatment. Depending on what area is being treated, your body may be placed in a variety of different treatment and stretch positions and you may be asked to stand and walk around so that your therapist can assess your posture, movement and gait. We recommend that you wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that can be adjusted so that your skin is easily accessible for treatment.
How quickly will I see improvement?
Many patients experience relief during their first treatment. For others, several treatments are required before their pain starts to diminish.
Returning to normal activities without pain is most often accelerated by adherence to the self-care program given to you by your therapist. Correcting the perpetuating factors (minimizing stress, changing ergonomics, etc.) and avoidance of overexertion (as well as focusing on what you can do instead of your limitations) are of prime importance. Good communication, patience and a positive attitude are essential.
Your rate of improvement depends on many conditions:
- The type of injury and length of time since it occurred.
- Your overall physical health and level of fitness
- Potential underlying skeletal abnormalities
- The quality of your nutrition (vitamin and mineral deficiencies, poor diet etc.)
- The quality of sleep and the sleeping position
- Your mental health (depression or anxiety)
- Your compliance with self-care and eliminating or reducing perpetuating factors.
- Any other medical conditions (i.e. allergies, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, etc.)
Will I experience any negative effects?
It is common for patients to experience some soreness for one to two days after treatment. This usually resolves after the first few treatments. You may also experience some fatigue as the chronically-held musculature is able to relax and return to a normal tone, however some patients experience an increase in energy.
As the workload of the musculature shifts and returns to a normal balance, pain patterns may change. This is a temporary and normal stage of recovery from chronic pain. It is not uncommon for people to experience relief from symptoms they were not seeking treatment for, such as chronic hand and forearm pain clearing up after being treated for a stiff neck.
We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and Debit cards, as well as cash. We also accept personal checks from repeat clients.
Though not required, gratuities are a great way to show appreciation for the quality service offered your therapist. Tips average between 15% - 25% of the service price. You may leave a tip in cash or add it to your credit card at check out.
How often should I get a treatment?
The frequency and length of treatment will be recommended by your therapist based on severity, chronicity, and complexity of your condition. Depending on your personal preference, your budget, and your needs, you may choose to come every week or just a few times a year. Everyone's needs are different, but generally speaking, once a month provides "maintenance" of previous progress, while more frequent visits create more long-term effect. For acute issues such as injury recovery or chronic pain, frequent visits are recommended initially.
Can you treat medical conditions or injuries? If so, is insurance accepted?
Myofascial trigger point therapists cannot legally diagnose or treat any condition. However, our therapist has extensive experience dealing with certain injuries and medical conditions, and with your doctor's permission we can work with you to speed your full recovery. We strongly encourage you to consult with your primary care physician to rule out pain that is nonmyofascial in origin. We will accept HSA/FSA (Health Savings Accounts) cards. We do not accept other forms of medical insurance, but we can provide you with the necessary documentation to file for reimbursement. Please check with your company for benefits and any documentation requirements.
I can’t make it to my appointment. Is there a cancellation fee?
We have a 24-hour cancellation policy. Please let us know as soon as you need to re-schedule your appointment. In case of late cancellation or no show, the full service price will be charged to your account. Our full policy description is located here.
