How to Identify a Secondary Trigger Point in Massage
- 1). Begin treatment with a relaxing massage to warm up muscles. Verbally guide the therapist's screening exam to isolate and identify primary trigger points. Secondary triggers appear in synergistic and antagonist muscles. For example, primary triggers in biceps have secondary points in the triceps.
- 2). Guide the therapist in application of gentle pressure to the secondary pain site to locate the hard knot within the muscle. Increase pressure slowly for about 10 to 20 seconds. The muscle should release and the pain subside.
- 3). Stretch the muscles carefully and slowly to realign them to proper length. The range of motion you have reflects how much improvement is shown.
- 4). Continue probing for trigger points in the area to deactivate all problems.
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