Trigger Point Therapy for Foot Pain & Plantar Fasciitis

Alternative to Foam Rollers Massage Balls Yoga Blocks

Trigger Point Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis

 

Last year I dealt with foot pain so severe I would wake up in the middle of the night screaming in pain. I went through so many pain killers my stomach was raw. That’s when I reach for my Pressure Pyramid.  Paired with some Physiotherapy and foot massage, stepping on the EVA (foam) Pyramid helped me so much. The pain is now completely gone!

 

Around 75% of Canadians will experience foot health problems of varying degrees of severity at one time or another in their lives. About 19% of the Canadian population has an average of 1.4 foot problems each year. People are spending millions on Trigger point therapy, massage and tools for their aching feet every year. Trigger points typically refer to pain that sends pain to some other site location on the body. 

 

Pressure applied to the arch of the foot is often the test used for determining whether you have plantar fasciitis. If it hurts to press there, the tendons and fascia in the bottom of your foot are likely inflamed. It is a common disorder, which can develop in one or both feet, and causes heel pain. It is the most frequent injury of the Plantar Fascia and refers to an inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes. The plantar fascia supports the arch of the foot and if strained, becomes weak, swollen and inflamed.

What are the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?

People will generally report feeling a sharp pain that usually occurs with their very first steps in the morning. Once the foot limbers up, the pain of Plantar Fasciitis is known to decrease, but has been noted to reappear after long periods of standing or after getting up from a seated position. 

Sudden stretching of the sole of the foot may increase the pain. It’s worth noting that in extreme cases, symptoms include numbness, tingling and swelling.

Who is Prone to Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar Fasciitis most common in older people, it may also occur in younger individuals who are on their feet for many hours of the day. It is particularly common for runners to experience Plantar Fasciitis. These cases often occur  when you start running on a different surface to the one they’re used to, or a switch to a different style of footwear. In addition to age, poor footwear, obesity, and lack of physical exercise, Plantar Fasciitis is known to affect individuals with extreme inward rolling of the foot, which is connected with flat feet.

Different Causes of Foot Pain?

Below a list of other conditions which can present with similar symptoms:

Bone Issues:

  • (Avulsion) fracture
  • Stress fractures
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Bone spurs (heel)
  • Broken ankle/broken foot
  • Sever’s disease (Children/youth)

Inflammatory:

  • Gout
  • Osteomyelitis
  • Pseudo-gout
  • TB
  • Pagets disease of the bone
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Reactive arthritis
  • Psoriatic arthropathy (from psoriasis) 
  • Subcalcaneal bursitis Functional
  • Achilles tendonitis or rupture
  • Achilles bursa pathology
  • Mortons Neuroma

 

Treatment – Trigger Point Therapy

 

Many characteristics have been observed for many years by researchers all over the world. With new testing methods and equipment, in the last decade much has been learned about the physiology of trigger points. And even though not every mechanism is known, patients get better when their trigger points are treated! Trigger points are all relatively accessible and should be worked on at home between treatments as part of a comprehensive treatment program.This should usually include stretching, strengthening exercises, Pressure point tools at home and often simple lifestyle changes.

 

Plantar Fasciitis in Children

 

Children, like adults, may develop plantar fasciitis from overuse of the ligament or from wearing old or unsupportive shoes. Because the condition can worsen over time, it’s important to see a doctor to properly diagnose and treat it, before it becomes chronic.

Ice your child’s heel to reduce any irritation or inflammation. Massaging the area can also help it heal. Make sure your child rests and avoids running, jumping, and standing for long periods to help their foot heal. When your child returns to their normal activities, remind them to do warm up exercises and stretches to keep the problem from returning. You should also check that they’re wearing properly fitting, supportive shoes. Your child’s heel pain could also be another condition, like Achilles tendinitis or a fracture.

 

Outlook and Recovery

 

Most people don’t need surgery to relieve pain from plantar fasciitis. Instead, their condition improves through physical therapy, home treatments, and medical treatments. However, treatment can take several months to 2 years to improve your symptoms. Trigger Point Therapy is an effective and simple method, and purchasing Your Pressure Pyramid https://yourpressurepyramid.com/shop/ is an inexpensive way to self-treat at home on your road to recovery.

 

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Trigger Point Therapy for Headaches

Trigger Point Therapy for Headaches

Almost all of us have suffered from Migraines in our lifetime. About eight percent of Canadians are affected by chronic headaches, a quarter or more of that 8% say that severe headaches impact their day to day life such as getting a good night rest and plain functioning throughout the day.  Trigger points in the suboccipital muscle group are the most common cause of tension headaches. 

A myofascial trigger point, also called a trigger point is a tight knot located within a taut muscular band.The knot or nodule can be distinctly felt underneath the skin and is tender when pressed or when external pressure is applied. Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. They can be brought on—or triggered—by things such as stress, depression, hunger, and muscle strain. Tension headaches may come on suddenly or slowly. Chronic tension headaches often occur along with other health problems such as anxiety or depression.

How Trigger Points Play a Large Role in Headache Management

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Trigger Point Therapy for Calf Muscles

The calves are a common spot of discomfort and magic massage hands can get pricy. Self-massage can be quite tricky to do without straining because it’s not easy for everyone to reach their own legs! My fiancé regularly requests calf massages and my hands just can’t keep up. Your Pressure Pyramid is the perfect tool to push your calf into, or use it to aid in massaging someone else’s calf without exhausting your hands and arms. 

**Place Your Pressure Pyramid on top of a Yoga Block and massage the calf.**

Calf pain can stop people from being able to walk, run and play sports. It can become so bad people resort to surgery. Relieving this pain can sometimes be done by treating calf trigger points. Trigger point therapy can be a powerful tool to treat and prevent injuries, so that you can get back to your daily activity.

The best way to approach self-massage is to press on the trigger point directly and hold for a minute or two, or apply small kneading strokes. No need to be too concerned about the direction of the muscle fibres.  Too much intensity can backfire and make it worse, and the right intensity could actually be a key to improvement.

Everything You Need to Know About Trigger Point Therapy for Calves

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Trigger Point Massage for Tennis Elbow

Your Pressure Pyramid for Trigger Point Therapy

 

Summer time in beautiful Vancouver is just around the corner! Many of us reach for our tennis rackets and golf clubs, as they are great social distancing activities.  In fact,  just reaching for my tennis racket, my back spasmed out of control on my birthday! If you’ve ever had a back spasm before, you know that pain is no joke…

Using Your Pressure Pyramid for Trigger Points

I often use Your Pressure Pyramid when I feel those spots in my back starting to seize up. My favourite one for my back is the bamboo pyramid for its extra firmness. Cork is great on the feet and the foam one is a little softer, and works great anywhere on the body that is more sensitive.

Depending on where I am, either laying into or leaning against Your Pressure Pyramid, and taking some deep breaths really helps with not allowing the spasm to continue. That being said, there are so many other great spots on the body that trigger point therapy and massage can work well on and alleviate pain.

Trigger Point Therapy for Tennis Elbow

 

For almost half of all recreational tennis players, tennis elbow can range from a nagging and persistent pain to a debilitating, crippling pain, also known as ‘lateral epicondylitis.’ Tennis elbow is just something that goes hand in hand with this summer time sport.

The pain and swelling around the outside of the elbow can be so severe that the only answer is to stop playing all together. This condition also tends to affect men more than women. While the term “tennis elbow” is the generic description for this pain and dysfunction the same problem appears from many different repetitive activities over time. The most common muscles involved are the forearm, upper arm and shoulder, which suffer from repetition overload.

7 common remedies for Tennis Elbow that don’t really work

Common remedies used for tennis elbow that don’t really work include:

  • RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation)
  • Using a strap or band wrapped around the forearm,
  • Strengthening and stretching exercises.
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • Cortisone injections
  • Surgery (for severe cases)

 

Unfortunately none of the remedies listed above truly help with completely stopping tennis elbow and keeping it away. But, fortunately with proper treatment the problem can usually be corrected within a few weeks to three months. Once your therapist has checked each of the muscles for restricted range of motion and trigger points; therapy includes massage techniques, manual compression, stretching and movement to restore full range of motion to the dysfunctional muscles. Whether the condition involves true tendonitis or simply referred pain from other muscles, it can be effectively treated by Myofascial trigger point therapy.   

What are the Symptoms of Tennis Elbow?

 

In most cases, the pain develops slowly and gradually over weeks and months in the elbow area. It is less common for the symptoms to occur suddenly. You may feel:

  • Stiffness in the elbow
  • May be painful to make a fist
  • Pain and tenderness on the inside of the elbow
  • Pain in the fore arm
  • Numbness and tingling in the ring and pinky finger
  • The hand and wrist will feel weaker

The pain can be anything from mild discomfort to severe nagging pain, and it will commonly affect sleep. It is noticeable that the pain will increase when using force trying to stabilize or move the wrist. 

Top 7 Activities that will make Tennis Elbow Worse

 

  • Shaking hands
  • Certain exercise such as push ups & pull ups 
  • Using tools
  • Turning door knobs
  • Playing video games
  • Gripping objects such as cutlery, pens/pencils, computer mouse
  • Fully extending you arm and making a fist

 

In any case it makes everyday activities more difficult than they should be and can cause frustration and anxiety. (see blog 1 Your Pressure Pyramid for Anxiety) https://yourpressurepyramid.com/blog/trigger-point-massage-for-anxiety/

Who is Prone to Tennis Elbow?

Tennis Elbow affects around 1-3% of the general population. Studies have shown that the pain of Tennis Elbow is about twice as common in men than women. Those prone to it tend to be between the ages of 35 and 50.

Older people tend to be more susceptible due to the continuous repetitive movements over time, leading to wear and tear of  tendons. It’s not just tennis players who suffer from this condition. 

Anyone who participates in activities that require repetitive and vigorous use of the forearm muscle, are more susceptible. We often see this condition develop in other sectors such as; hairdressers, chefs, gardeners, house cleaners , and people who play sports such as baseball and football.

Where to get your Trigger Point Tool to combat Tennis Elbow?

Use Your Pressure Pyramid to give yourself a trigger point massage and alleviate your tennis elbow, and so much more on the go! Get Your Pressure Pyramid today! https://yourpressurepyramid.com/shop/)

 

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Trigger Point Massage for Anxiety

Trigger Point Massage for Anxiety

There’s no denying that people are experiencing unprecedented levels of anxiety during the current health crisis. But did you know that the very same anxiety being caused by the global concern can actually make you more susceptible to a variety of physical illnesses? When people experience anxiety they release the stress hormone cortisol which has a direct, immediate, and destructive impact on the immune system. You can wash your hands and social distance all you want but when anxiety goes unchecked there is a damaging effect on your overall health and wellness. The conclusion is simple – kick anxiety to the curb! Easier said than done though, right?

There are many purported “quick fixes” to mitigating the harmful effects of stress and anxiety but they often come from behind the counter at your local pharmacy. That in itself can open up a Pandora’s box of problems. Instead, you need to find a natural way to ease anxiety. One way is through trigger point massage (TPM) which is where Your Pressure Pyramid comes in. Let’s review.

How Your Pressure Pyramid Can Be Used to Reduce Anxiety and Stress Through Do-it-Yourself Trigger Point Massage

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