Importance of Treating and preventing trigger points and adaptive shortening of muscles

Postural misalignment, over training, tissue trauma, and muscular imbalances, all can lead to adaptive muscle shortening and trigger points. The sarcomeres stay in a hyper contracted state and don’t return to their original resting length. The shortened muscles cause excessive tension which decreases the amount of blood flow, which can lead to reduced repair and range of motion. Overtime hypoxia can also take place and the constant chronic inflammation can lead to muscle fibrosis. This lead to all sorts of issues, from faulty movement patterns and altered biomechanics which can lead to injury, hinder performance and muscle dysfunction. This is why it is vital to treat muscles regularly as a prevention method. Fibrosis can lead to serve contracture and disability if shortened muscles and trigger points are not treated in time. So a maintenance program is necessary.

1. Is ischemia compression, via massage and foam rolling, you find the tender spots and put pressure on it for a minute and let go. This will bring new blood into area, release tension and lengthen the shortened sarcomere via the CNS.

2. Stretch the muscle to regain its normal range of motion. This will return the muscle to its normal resting length and tone.

A regular massage and stretching program will help keep muscles functioning better. As muscles get restricted they become more dense, rigid and hardened. It is important to keep them supple via massage and stretching.