trigger points

What are trigger points?

They are hyper irritable taut band of focus point tension. Commonly known as ‘knots’, however they are a little more complex than “knots” as trigger points cause oxygen and nutrient depletion in the muscle (known as Ischemia) and patterns of pain referral. There are 4 types of trigger point that are activated in different ways.

  • Active trigger points are usually found within the muscle and applying any kind of pressure will cause a localised pain.

  • Secondary trigger points usually develop within the referred pain area of the active trigger point and once the active point has been resolved the secondary trigger points will often disperse too.

  • Latent trigger points does not cause pain actively, however once it has developed it can cause pain when the myoskeletal structure containing the trigger point has a strain or pressure placed upon it.

  • Key trigger points have a pain referral pathway along a nerve pathway that activates a latent trigger point on the pathway. Once the key trigger point has been treated this will often help resolve the latent trigger points. 

what causes Trigger Points ?

  • Repetitive activity to a muscle

  • Ageing

  • Self mutilation as the dog may gnaw at an area of pain which is actually coming from a different area of the body

  • Enforced rest as a result of injury or surgery

  • Postural changes

  • Muscles that are overused

  • Toxin build up in the muscle

These trigger points are usually activated by myofascial pain around the body. Myofascial pain is the pain that a dog will feel when a large myofascial sheath puts pressure on the trigger points, which can then be local pain or referred pain around the body.

what are the symptoms?

  • Chronic pain around the body

  • Nerve irritations and twitching of the skin

  • Ischemia (oxygen and nutrition depletion in the muscle, which could lead to atrophy)

  • Premature ageing

  • Reduction in the mood and happiness of the dog

  • Reduced range of movement

  • Problems with respiration if the trigger points are over the ribcage.

  • Skin crawling when being touched

  • Muscle weakness

  • Reduced performance in dogs that compete

  • Increased lethargy

  • Coat changes - this could be texture or direction of growth. This may look like a kink in the fur.

how can massage help?

  • Massage can help to release these areas of focal point tension

  • Improved movement

  • Improved comfort levels

  • Improved ability to compete due to increased flexibility

  • Improved mood and happiness due to the removal of associated pain

  • Return the muscle to better working order due to the removal of toxins from the muscle

  • Improved circulation will increase the rate of healing

  • Bring fresh nutrients to the area to aid with muscle strengthening

  • Increased sleep patterns and ability to relax

  • Improves the range of movement in the limbs

  • Will make the dog more willing to be petted and touched

Contraindications (reasons to not massage or to alter the massage) to be aware of - if your dog is showing any signs of the following then please let me know and then we can discuss a treatment schedule to work around or outside of the particular issue.

  • Epilepsy

  • The severity of the condition

  • The level of inflammation in the area (heat therapy should be avoided if inflammation present)

  • Skin irritations such as eczema

  • Bruises

  • Open wounds

  • High blood pressure

  • Diabetes

  • Cardio-vascular conditions

  • Broken bones

  • Pregnancy