Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Trigger Point Therapy


I first heard of Trigger Point Therapy on Megan's blog inTraining. Now I've been a user of THE STICK and it was okay, but never really did much for me. I've seen and used that big foam roller thing at the gym, but mostly just on my IT Band. This system takes it to the next level. Not only are the products solid they provide endless amount of information on their WEBSITE and YOUTUBE!

And on top of that I mentioned something about being really sore and wondering if you can overdo the TP Therapy and THEY RESPONDED to my tweet! I was shocked! They reminded me to hydrate properly. Told me that YES you can indeed do too much (uh, Laura, newsflash... all things in MODERATION!) and told me to message them directly if I needed more info. Talk about making me feel special and cared for!

So what's this Trigger Point stuff all about? (Trigger Point people please add anything I missed in the comments below!) It basically brings myofascial release to you at home! Massage, while wonderful, can become quite costly and as endurance athletes (or desk jockeys really) we need a lot of it to keep us moving.

Okay that's nice and I'm all for the frequent massage, but really how's this roller and ball going to get me the nice relaxing state of a massage... uh, well it's not THAT kind of massage. It's the kind of massage that hurts a little (ok a lot), but is functional. You won't be relaxed and you might actually break a sweat and it will make you VERY happy you did it.

Per Wikipedia Myofascial release is a form of soft tissue therapy used to treat somatic dysfunction (the impaired or altered function of bodily structures) and accompanying pain and restriction of motion. This is accomplished by relaxing contracted muscles, increasing circulation, increasing venous and lymphatic drainage, and stimulating the stretch reflex of muscles and overlying fascia.[1]

By performing the Trigger Point Therapy/Myofascial release you can relieve muscular aches and pains and restore full range of motion!



TP Therapy has a nice CHART on their site showing various trigger points, but I found THIS one that I think is one the coolest sites I've seen in a long time. It's an interactive Trigger Point Map. How cool is that. Have a pain? Find it on the dude and it will show you a close up of that muscle group and show you where you need to perform your TP therapy to relieve the pain... sometimes it's not in the same place as the pain.

I think I may have over done it on the ol' glutes this go round... so I think I'll stick to the shorter sessions daily to continue to release without so much pain. As I am devouring the TP website I just found this:

"When using Trigger Point's Performance tools, three to five minutes of pressure within each muscle group is all that is needed. This method is recommended before and after workouts and races and prior to stretching. Athletes tend to overdo things. That's what gets them into the painful situation in the first place. Moderation is the key."

I love the lower leg release! LOVE! I swear it keeps me out there.

If you have doubts check this out! I did this little test myself the other day and I COULD NOT believe the difference it made in ONE sitting. I have been doing this awhile, but never tested it.



If you haven't used this system you need to get it! I guarantee it will have you feeling better (so long as you subscribe to that whole ALL THINGS IN MODERATION thing!)

Do you roll your legs? Use the stick? Already a devout TP Therapy ball sitter?

17 comments:

  1. I roll my legs. I find the best release in my calves. My quads and hammies don't seem to get that tight, but my calves...OH!MY! Rolling my calves seems to be helping my shins :-)
    Funny how that works.

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  2. "it brings myofascial release to you at home!"

    I have no idea what that means but it sounds incredible. No I have to order one these!

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  3. Jeff... silly boy... from above: Per Wikipedia Myofascial release is a form of soft tissue therapy used to treat somatic dysfunction (the impaired or altered function of bodily structures) and accompanying pain and restriction of motion. This is accomplished by relaxing contracted muscles, increasing circulation, increasing venous and lymphatic drainage, and stimulating the stretch reflex of muscles and overlying fascia.[1]

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  4. I have never tried TP therapy, but I've heard great things about it. I usually just use my foam roller. That link you posted to the guy is awesome!

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  5. faom roller but havn't done in a while.this looks cool

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  6. I love my foam roller, so this is very interesting to me -- thanks for the review!

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  7. I own some Trigger Point products myself, and agree that they're a good company, but I like the RumbleRoller (rumbleroller.com) much better for myofascial release.

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  8. Ah... TP - can be so good, yet so painful! :) Thanks for the rundown ona great company!

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  9. I have TP and LOVE it. Totally works for me! That little ball is sadistic though.

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  10. I want TP so bad!! I have a foam roller, the stick, and a tennis ball. Great review/rundown!

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  11. Great review! Lots of good information here.

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  12. Love the ball, and just got the GRid Roller not too long ago - NO more IT band problems. Great products - you just have to keep using them.

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  13. Very interesting - thanks for sharing! Will have to look into this more. I did have The Stick, which I liked, but I somehow misplaced/lost(?) it when I moved in June and it hasn't resurfaced yet, so I'm assuming it either got left behind/thrown out accidentally (so sad) or is hiding somewhere in a box with old college textbooks...

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  14. Everyone seems to be a fan. Who am I to not jump on the bandwagon?

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  15. All things in moderation for sure! I have tried it in the past and didn't love it, but the gal I go to for massage is really good at it and it works when she does it. I don't think the at home version worked well for me.

    Glad to hear it works well for you!

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  16. Random story. My friend/neighbor came over and picked up my Quad Baller and was very upset when he realized that it was not a shake weight.

    He went from really excited to really disappointed in .02 seconds.

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  17. OMG Jamie.. That's funny! :) I love the Quad Baller.. it's fun to say too! ha

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