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Athletes
All knee and back symptoms (including pain) have a myofascial (muscular) component that contributes to the symptoms.
When the causal trigger points (TrPs) are removed, the symptoms often disappear!
It is important to think beyond the obvious weak function of a muscle or muscle group and not assume that all it needs is strengthening exercises. The clinician must determine why it is weak and the type of weakness. Myofascial TrPs contributing to or causing the weakness may be in the same muscle and/or in functionally related muscles.
Travell and Simons; Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, The Trigger Point Manual; 1999; pg. 114
Interesting case studies -
Most folks know that muscle tissue will contract and relax. That's basically all it does.
"Strength" comes from the contraction of muscle. The bigger the contraction, the more power is generated. That’s why bigger muscle has bigger power.
Although sometimes, this isn't the case; if trigger points (TrPs) are present, the involved muscle (large or small) will be weak and fatigue easily - two effects that latent TrPs have on muscle. These effects are not beneficial to any athlete!
If these latent trigger points become active, they will produce pain, or other symptoms (e.g. vertigo).
If the athlete is unaware of the effects of trigger points, they may never achieve (or regain) their athletic potential!
We’ve found that athletes who subscribe to our Trigger Point method, consistently report having improved muscular performance. This typically manifests in greater speed, agility, and endurance.
Not only will comprehensive trigger point bodywork effectively treat athlete’s pain issues; it also has the effect of improving athletic performance, even if there are no pain symptoms involved.
William Huhn
Muscles that have trigger points should not be exercised.
(until the trigger points are removed and the muscle heals)
"Disturbances of motor functions caused by trigger points include spasm of other muscles, weakness of the involved muscle function, loss of coordination by the involved muscle, and decreased work tolerance of the involved muscle. The weakness and loss of work tolerance are often interpreted as the indication for increased exercise, but if this is attempted without inactivating the responsible trigger points, the exercise is likely to encourage and further ingrain substitution by other muscles with further weakening and de-conditioning of the involved muscle."
Travell & Simons; Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, The Trigger Point Manual
Muscle that has trigger points (TrPs) cannot be strengthened.
(until the trigger points are removed and the muscle heals)
Those of you who are wondering why certain muscles are not developing (even though you are exercising them), should be checking for trigger points in those muscles.
If you have TrPs, you must remove them and allow the muscle to return to normal - otherwise the strengthening programme for the involved muscle(s) is simply non-effective. As well, many athletes and physical therapists don't realize that putting these muscles under load (excess exercise) will actually make matters worse!
Whether you play tennis, or golf, swim, a triathlete, sprinter, dancer, or engage in any other athletic form;
It's proven that muscle that has myofascial trigger points, will not build mass until the TrPs are removed. So exercising (i.e. trying to strengthen) the involved muscle(s) will not only be pointless, it will cause "similar functioning" muscles to take on the intended task. This "extra duty" will very likely put these "similar function" muscles at risk of also developing trigger points, and further compromise the involved muscle.
Note: We offer 1-day and 5-day Trigger Point C.E. workshops that address athlete's pain/performance issues.
Check our Workshop dates/locations
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