Chicago Suburbs Trigger Point Massage Therapy

Trigger points or trigger sites are described as hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers. Trigger point researchers believe that palpable nodules are small contraction knots and a common cause of pain. Compression of a trigger point may elicit local tenderness, referred pain, or local twitch response. The local twitch response is not the same as a muscle spasm. This is because a muscle spasm refers to the entire muscle entirely contracting whereas the local twitch response also refers to the entire muscle but only involves a small twitch, no contraction.

The trigger point model states that unexplained pain frequently radiates from these points of local tenderness to broader areas, sometimes distant from the trigger point itself. Practitioners claim to have identified reliable referred pain patterns, allowing practitioners to associate pain in one location with trigger points elsewhere. Many chiropractors and massage therapists find the model useful in practice, but the medical community at large has not embraced trigger point therapy. Although trigger points do appear to be an observable phenomenon with defined properties, there is a lack of a consistent methodology for diagnosing trigger points and a dearth of theory explaining how trigger points arise and why they produce specific referred pain patterns.

Trigger points have a number of qualities. They may be classified as active/latent and also as key/satellites and primary/secondary.

An active trigger point is one that actively refers pain either locally or to another location (most trigger points refer pain elsewhere in the body along nerve pathways). A latent trigger point is one that exists, but does not yet refer pain actively, but may do so when pressure or strain is applied to the myoskeletal structure containing the trigger point. Latent trigger points can influence muscle activation patterns, which can result in poorer muscle coordination and balance.

A key trigger point is one that has a pain referral pattern along a nerve pathway that activates a latent trigger point on the pathway, or creates it. A satellite trigger point is one which is activated by a key trigger point. Successfully treating the key trigger point often will resolve the satellite and return it from being active to latent, or completely treating it too.

In contrast, a primary trigger point in many cases will biomechanically activate a secondary trigger point in another structure. Treating the primary trigger point does not treat the secondary trigger point.

Activation of trigger points may be caused by a number of factors, including acute or chronic muscle overload, activation by other trigger points (key/satellite, primary/secondary), disease, psychological distress (via systemic inflammation), homeostatic imbalances, direct trauma to the region, radiculopathy, infections and health issues such as smoking.

Trigger points can appear in many myofascial structures including muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joint capsule, periosteal, and scar tissue. When present in muscles there is often pain and weakness in the associated structures. These pain patterns in muscles follow specific nerve pathways and have been readily mapped to allow for identification of the causative pain factor. Many trigger points have pain patterns that overlap, and some create reciprocal cyclic relationships that need to be treated extensively to remove them.

Contact Misa today for a wonderful Trigger Point or massage therapy session!

Keywords: Best Chicago Massage Therapist, Best Chicago Suburb Massage Therapist, Bartlett, Barrington, Schaumburg, Elgin, Geneva, Naperville il Massage Therapist, Top Massage Therapist Chicago and Chicago Suburbs

Chicago Swedish Massage Therapy

Swedish massage is the most commonly offered and best-known type of massage. If it’s you’re first time at the spa or with a chicago professional massage therapist, Swedish massage is the perfect place to start.

What You Need to Know About Swedish Massage

* During Swedish massage, massage therapists use massage oils to facilitate smooth, gliding strokes called effleurage. Other classic Swedish massage moves include kneading, friction, stretching and (sometimes) tapping.

* Swedish massage uses firm but gentle pressure to promote relaxation, ease muscle tension and create other health benefits.

* Generally during Swedish massage you’re nude underneath a towel or sheet. The therapist uncovers only the part of the body he/she is working on, a technique called “draping”.

* You can keep your underwear on during Swedish massage, and many newcomers do.

* Feel free to state your preference for pressure during Swedish massage. It can range from light to firm. Swedish massage usually includes some deeper work on areas of specific muscle tension. If you want more intensive work and firmer pressure, get a deep tissue massage.

Contact Misa today for a wonderful Chicago Swedish therapy or other massage therapy session!

Keywords: Best Chicago Massage Therapist, Best Chicago Suburb Massage Therapist, Bartlett, Barrington, Schaumburg, Elgin, Geneva, Naperville il Massage Therapist, Top Massage Therapist Chicago and Chicago Suburbs

Chicago Suburbs Shiatsu Massage Therapy

Shiatsu, also known as acupressure, is a finger pressure massage technique that is sometimes confused with acupuncture. Shiatsu massage therapy and acupuncture are founded on the Chinese meridian system. The therapist applies pressure with his thumbs, finger, and palms to specific areas of the client’s body that have been determined during an assessment period prior to the massage session. There are no needle pokes involved with Shiatsu. Massage techniques like tapping, squeezing, rubbing, and applied pressure are applied along the meridians to unblock energy blockages and reintroduce the optimal flow of ki.

Benefits of Shiatsu Massage

* Deep muscle and tissue relaxation
* Stress reduction and management
* Releases toxins from the body
* Dis-ease preventative
* Increased flexibility
* Improved blood circulations
* Reduces blood pressure
* Reduces mental anxieties
* Balances ki (chi)
* Calms nervousness
* Increases mental and spiritual awareness

Contact Misa today for a wonderful Chicago Shiatsu or other massage therapy session!

Keywords: Best Chicago Massage Therapist, Best Chicago Suburb Massage Therapist, Bartlett, Barrington, Schaumburg, Elgin, Geneva, Naperville il Massage Therapist, Top Massage Therapist Chicago and Chicago Suburbs

Chicago Suburbs Neuromuscular Massage Therapy

Neuromuscular Massage Therapy – for over 4,000 years, massage therapy has been used as a tool for healing. Hippocrates, the Father of modern medicine, used massage frequently. Janet Travell, M.D., Staff Physician to President John F. Kennedy, was an early pioneer in the application of neuromuscular massage therapy. Today, medical doctors, chiropractors, osteopathic physicians and massage therapists advocate the use of massage therapy to ensure maximum health. As our primary approach to treatment, neuromuscular massage therapy addresses the impact the nervous system has on the health of our muscles and the overall strength of our bodies.

Why it Works – When a muscle is strained from injury or overuse, toxins are released into soft tissue causing swelling, soreness, and decreased circulation. This may cause compression of the nerve endings resulting in painful spasms. Over time, scar tissue develops increasing pain and decreasing muscle strength and flexibility. Our therapists are trained to identify trigger points that may be the actual area of injury and a source or your pain. Using the hands, our therapists apply techniques that release the spasm and balance muscle tone in the injured area. Scar tissue is gently loosened and the soft tissue released to prevent further injury. Circulation is restored, increasing the flow of healing nutrients to the injured tissue. You experience increased strength, flexibility, and heightened body awareness. As your body becomes more responsive, your confidence soars and you feel a sense of well-being and renewed vitality.

Neuromuscular Massage Therapy successfully treats the following conditions:

* Neck pain and/or stiffness such as whiplash
* Shoulder Injuries
* Low back pain, sciatica or hip pain
* Most common back pain, spasms, and cramping
* headaches
* Migraines
* Facial or jaw pain
* Tingling and numbness of arms, hands, legs and feet
* Athletic injuries
* Trauma
* Arthritis
* Limited Range Motion in most joints
* Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
* Poor Posture

Contact Misa today for a wonderful Neuromuscular or other massage therapy session!

Keywords: Best Chicago Massage Therapist, Best Chicago Suburb Massage Therapist, Bartlett, Barrington, Schaumburg, Elgin, Geneva, Naperville il Massage Therapist, Top Massage Therapist Chicago and Chicago Suburbs

Chicago Deep Tissue Massage Therapy

Deep Tissue massage is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue or fascia. This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles. Deep tissue massage is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in heavy physical activity, such as athletes, and patients who have sustained physical injury. It is also not uncommon for receivers of Deep Tissue Massage to have their pain replaced with a new muscle ache for a day or two. Deep tissue work varies greatly. What one calls deep tissue another will call light. When receiving deep tissue work it is important to communicate what you are feeling.

Contact Misa today @ 630-213-9102 for a wonderful Deep Tissue or other massage therapy session!

Keywords: Best Chicago Massage Therapist, Best Chicago Suburb Massage Therapist, Bartlett, Barrington, Schaumburg, Elgin, Geneva, Naperville il Massage Therapist, Top Massage Therapist Chicago and Chicago Suburbs