Muscle Referral pain and trigger points

Muscle Referral Pain and Trigger Point Therapy.

When muscles are injured and a nerve is pinched, the muscles that the nerve(s) runs through will develop Trigger Points in response to the pain and will send a pain signal where there isn't necessarily an injury, causing referred pain. For example, if you have pain in lthe lower back, the muscles in your buttocks will be to tight, causing it to press on the nerve sending a message of pain to the back.

Trigger Point Therapy releases the point of pain and not the referral pain area by applying pressure directly at the site of the Trigger Point for a short period of time. This breaks up the muscle fibers within the adhesion and releases the toxins that have built up. Once the muscle fibers are broken up, they begin to repair and eventually they return to their natural state, ultimately releasing the muscle memory associated with the injury and healing the pain.

What is Scar tissue?

What's scar tissue?

Scar tissue is a fibrous material that binds itself to damaged soft tissue fibers in an effort to repair the damaged fibers back together. But it also creates a weak spot at the injury site if not treated properly.
Do you get re-occuring injuries!! You most likely have a scar tissue problem.

So what can you do to get rid of scar tissue?
Massage, deep/soft tissue massage. Massage is the only treatment that will reduce and re-align scar tissue. Ice won't do it. Heat won't do it. Exercises won't do it. Only massage will get rid of scar tissue.

If you can't get to a qualified therapist.. then..
I would recommend a massage balm?
Cooling Balm. This special balm has essential oils which are anti-inflammatory and is very effective in treating soft tissue injuries, like sprains, strains and all types of aches and pains. It includes all-natural ingredients, has no side effects and best of all, is handmade by myself. So if you're suffering with any type of pain... Then buy a jar..

Common Elbow conditions..Elbow pain, Tennis Elbow, Golfers Elbow

Common elbow conditions

 

Golfers elbow, throwers elbow, tennis elbow, elbow pain and elbow tendonitis.

Pain is most often experienced anywhere from the elbow joint to the wrist.

Damage occurs by small rears to the muscles, tendons and ligaments around the elbow joint and forearm. Forming scar tissue and calcium deposits. They cause a restriction of movement, inflammation and pain. If untreated, this scar tissue and calcium deposits can put so much pressure on the muscles and nerves that they can cut off the blood flow and pinch the nerves responsible for controlling the muscles in the forearm.

What causes elbow pain?
Any action, which involves a repetitive and prolonged strain on the forearm, direct injury, or fall onto the elbow. Poor technique will contribute to the condition, such as using ill-fitted equipment, like golf clubs, tennis racquets, work tools, etc.

Treatment.

Soft tissue massage and trigger therapy by a sports massage therapist is one of the most effective treatments for removing scar tissue and speeding up the healing process of the muscles and tendons.

Once most of the pain has been reduced, the next stage is rehabilitation to regain and improve the strength, power, endurance and flexibility of the muscles and tendons that have been compromised.

Suffering from pain and muscular inflammation!!! Try including fresh pineapple and Kiwi into your diet regularly.

3 COMMON TRIATHLON INJURIES

Runner’s Knee (Chondromalacia Patella)

This is one of the most common injuries that occurs among runners and cyclists,  excessive force causes that cartilage to become roughened or softened, causing pain. Weakness of the medial quadriceps muscle is responsible.
Treatment - The roughened kneecap may smooth out over time if offending activities are stopped. RICE therapy and avoiding hill climbs in both running and cycling. Cyclists may try riding higher in the saddle or stand more when climbing. Strength training is used primarily to prevent injury and should be limited when injured. Deep tissue massage to loosen tight/shortened muscles surrounding the knee and hip flexors aiding in the patella gliding with a smoother function.

Achilles Tendonitis

Pain is usually located in the posterior calf and may be more localized to its insertion point on the heel.
Worn out/improper fitting shoes or poor cleat positioning is one cause or a new shoe or cleat, especially when leg extension is increased.  
Treatment - RICE therapy with training volume and intensity reduction to relieve symptoms. Avoid hilly terrain, lowering the seat by a few millimeters may help to reduce stretch on the calf. A heel pad or lift may help if symptoms are from new shoes with a lower heel. Deep tissue and soft tissue massage to to remove scar tissue and to loosen tight muscles and gain more flexibilty and strength in the ankle.

Swimmers Shoulder

Swimming, especially freestyle, causes the shoulder to undergo repetitive overhead motion which may compromise the rotator cuff muscles, causing pain and ruducing the range of motion (ROM), sometimes devloping into frozen shoulder.of impingement in the rotator cuff. It often begins due to volume and/or intensity overload while practicing poor technique. Symptoms usually are reported as pain at the shoulder during the late recovery phase and early catch phase of your stroke.

Treatment - RICE therapy, a reduction in training, anti-inflammatorys and physical therapy/rehab.  Soft tissue massage to reduce scar tisuue and trigger therapy to increase mobilisation of the joint.

Advice

As with any injury if symptoms continue for more than 4-5 days or worsen in any way see a sports therapist for treatment and recommendations. If you wait for it to just “go away” you may end up developing a more chronic condition that could hamper your training and season goals.

Suffering from hip pain!

Hip Pain
Iliopsoas Tendonitis and Iliopsoas Syndrome

What Causes Iliopsoas Tendonitis and Iliopsoas Syndrome?
Iliopsoas tendonitis is predominately caused by repetitive hip flexion or overuse of the hip area, resulting in inflammation. Iliopsoas syndrome, on the other hand, is caused by a sudden contraction of the iliopsoas muscle, which results in a rupture or tear of the muscle, usually at the point where the muscle and tendon connect.Athletes at risk include runners, jumpers and participants of sports that require a lot of kicking. Also at risk are those who participate in strength training and weight lifting exercises that require a lot of bending and squatting.

Symptoms!
Hip Pain and tenderness are common symptoms of both conditions; however the onset of pain associated with iliopsoas tendonitis is gradual and tends to build up over an extended period of time, whereas the pain associated with iliopsoas syndrome is sudden and very sharp.

Treatment!
Immediately following an injury, or at the onset of pain, the R.I.C.E.R. regime should be employed. This involves Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.

The next phase of treatment (after the first 48 to 72 hours) involves soft tissue massage therapy, the application of heat and ice. Massage is one of the most effective treatments for removing scar tissue and speeding up the healing process of the muscles and tendons. Trigger therapy is also applied.

Once most of the pain has been reduced, it is time to move onto the rehabilitation phase of your treatment. The main aim of this phase is to regain the strength, power, endurance and flexibility of the muscles and tendons that have been injured.

What to do with pulled muscles, scar tissue and injury.

Have you ever had an injury that just won't heal?  Pulled a muscle? Over-stretched it, torn it, strained it, sprained it. You may have a problem with scar tissue.

The first 72 hours
Without a doubt, the most effective, initial treatment for soft tissue injury is R.I.C.E.. This involves the application of (R) rest, (I) ice, (C) compression, (E) elevation.

The problem with scar tissue
Scar tissue is made from a very brittle, inflexible fibrous material. This fibrous material binds itself to the damaged soft tissue fibres in an effort to draw the damaged fibres back together. What results is a mass of fibrous scar tissue. In some cases it's even possible to see and feel this under the skin.

Getting rid of the scar tissue
To remove the unwanted scar tissue it is vital that you start a course of deep tissue sports massage. While ultrasound and heat will help the injured area, they will not remove the scar tissue. Only massage will do that.

Be sure to drink plenty of fluid during your injury rehabilitation. The extra fluid will help to flush a lot of the waste products from your body.

Stretching during this early stage of the rehabilitation process will only cause more damage to the injured tissues. Avoid stretching during the first 72 hours.

Anti inflammatory and muscle warming massage balms help with the recovery. I handmake these using essential oils.