How to Spot Massage Trigger Points in Ligaments

Trigger points are found in lax, stretched-out ligaments. Various factors including trauma, sports injuries, aging and poor posture put excess strain on the body, which in turn creates tension and trigger points. Ligaments are especially vulnerable to stressful positions and sudden extreme movements. Perpetuating factors must be identified and treated by a physician or physical therapist who practices prolotherapy.

Instructions

• 1

  Create a medical history of injuries and illnesses. List any recurring pains or complaints. Review this with your primary therapist or physician.

• 2

  Warm up the muscles with a relaxing massage. Ligament pain referral patterns are similar to muscular trigger points. They are found through palpation of the site, stimulating the pain response without the presence of muscle knots.

• 3

  Trace the muscle pain back to the associated joint or ligament following a pain referral chart.

• 4

  Confirm the diagnosis of ligament origin with an injection of anesthetic combined with a proliferant into the ligament. The anesthetic disrupts the cell memory of pain and the proliferant instigates inflammation, forcing the ligament to heal itself.