A pressure point is a tender spot on a muscle that can cause increased muscle tension and pain. Frequently, pressure points, more generally referred to as knotted muscles, are caused by injury, overexertion, and poor posture. There are literally hundreds of pressure points in the body. Reports show that pain caused by pressure points is one of the main reasons why people lose time from work. In many cases, applying pressure to tender muscle tissue can help to relieve pain by loosening tight muscles. While many pressure points are located beneath major muscle groups, others lie in indentations found near bony protrusions.
Types
Whether these areas are referred to as pressure points or trigger points, they have one thing in common--pain. Trigger points are active when pressure applied to a sore muscle sends pain to other areas of the body. Active trigger points restrict blood flow and compress nerves. As a result, a person may experience either a dull ache or a sharp pain. Tingling or a pins-and-needles sensation is a common symptom as well. Latent trigger points only cause pain when pressure is applied. While latent trigger points do not send pain signals to other parts of the body, they can cause stiff joints and a decrease in range of motion.
Significance
Unreleased trigger points can lead to chronic pain and decreased flexibility that may eventually limit physical movement and mobility, making it necessary to release muscle tightness and tension. Pressure point therapy works to physically relax the body and increase blood circulation, thereby relieving muscle spasms, increasing flexibility and range of motion, lowering blood pressure, and helping to ease chronic pain.
History
Acupressure is an ancient Chinese healing technique that uses pressure from the fingers on specific locations of the body. Developed thousands of years ago, the belief is that there are channels of energy, which allow a person's chi, or life force, to flow through the body. Practitioners maintain that there are hundreds of acupressure points found along these pathways. Theory holds that pressing these pressure points will either heighten or diminish circulation of chi in the body.
Theories/Speculation
While to date there is no scientific evidence supporting the existence of chi, some medical researchers point out that certain acupuncture points in the body appear to have a different electrical resistance than the surrounding tissue. Many Western physicians are now recommending acupressure techniques as alternative treatments for natural pain relief. Applying firm downward pressure to stimulate pressure points appears to release endorphins, chemical messengers which suppress pain by blocking transmission of pain impulses to the brain. If nothing else, pressure point therapy seems to relieve stress in many individuals, promoting wellness by strengthening the body's immune response to disease.
Function
It is possible to perform acupressure on yourself. Apply pressure gradually and slowly. As the knotted muscle begins to soften, breathe out as you feel the tension in the muscle relax. Hold the pressure steady for about 2 minutes. Gently relax and then apply pressure again. Because tension usually concentrates around pressure points, muscles contract when stressed or fatigued. As the muscle yields to pressure, muscle fibers begin to relax, increasing blood flow, bringing more oxygen to the area.
Benefits
Like therapeutic massage, applying pressure to tender muscle tissue relaxes muscles and relieves stress, helping to improve circulation and lower blood pressure. Decreasing stress levels has been known to aid in the treatment of medical conditions such as Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Syndrome, sleep disorders, circulatory problems and arthritis. Other health benefits of acupressure include stress and pain management. Some people maintain that acupressure helps to alleviate migraine headaches and low back pain, allergies, and sometimes even the common cold and flu.
Warning
Applying pressure to tense muscles using the thumb and fingers can relieve stress, tension and pain. However, it's important not to press the area too hard, as exerting too much pressure can do more harm than good. Some trigger points may be sore when pressed or a person may feel pain in another part of the body. Release the pressure if a trigger point is extremely painful.
Tags: pressure points, trigger points, applying pressure, applying pressure tender, blood flow, blood pressure, maintain that