Trigger Point Bodywork
effective treatment for pain
The William Huhn Method™ for Trigger Point Protocol for removing Trigger Points causing shoulder pain is as follows:
- Check all related muscles for trigger points (this includes the rotator cuff muscles, scapular suspension muscles and all muscles that may be an underlying cause to the perpetuation or recurrence of the issues(s).
If trigger points are found - work to remove them. Self-treatment can be effective or see a knowledgeable Trigger Point Body Worker. During this stage, you should cease exercising and stretching the muscles that have the trigger points. This doesn't mean stop all movement as this is not healthy for muscle tissue either; rather you are to limit the strain you place on the involved muscles. Rotator Cuff muscles are relatively small considering the workload they must carry out every day and consequently they are highly susceptible to
re-affliction if they are exercised or stretched while trigger points are present.
- Keep those involved muscles warm! If you apply ice to the muscles with trigger points the treatments will fail. The cold will cause muscular contraction and further "entrench" the trigger points, thereby causing perpetuation of the issue. Only use ice if there is inflammation or swelling...and then only for about 20 minutes. Do not place the ice directly on the skin. Typically, once the swelling/inflammation has subsided, you may then go back to the moist heat.
- Muscle is an organ and like any other organ in the body, when damaged, needs time to heal. Once the trigger points are removed you must wait at least 2 weeks prior to starting an exercise routine - caution, the shoulder issue may feel better, but there still may be trigger points present. Once the muscle has healed I highly recommend finding a good trainer that really understands shoulders for the next part of your rehab. You must start very gently and slowly build-up an exercise routine. The muscles can now build mass and strengthen the shoulder area.
NOTE: The same protocol is used for trigger points throughout the body; however, some muscles will actually benefit from very mild, preferably passive stretching during the trigger point treatment phase of the rehab. I strongly discourage stretching for shoulder trigger point related issues.