Trigger points are bands of skeletal muscle or fascia that have bound together and become compressed and contracted, in often what is referred to as, a ‘knot’.

A healthy muscle is pliable, not tender to pressure, does not have tight bands within it and is not reactive to touch. However, when trigger points are present the muscle fibres are sustaining a contraction and this leads to ischemia (blood flow and oxygen is restricted to a certain part of the body), early fatigue, nerve irritation, tenderness, reduced range of motion and often referred pain.

Causes:

• The muscles overworking

• Repetitive movements

• Sudden, excessive stretching

• Injury / accident

• Primary orthopaedic issue resulting in protective muscle splinting

• Enforced cage rest

• Age

• Postural changes

• Persistent shoulder barging/body slamming

• When left untreated for long periods of time they will make permanent changes in the tissue

• Overuse

Symptoms:

• Twitching or flinching of the skin, that ‘looks’ like a ‘tickly’ spot

• Dog screams/yelps when picked up or handled

• Unwilling to be groomed/examined in a certain area

• Overly sensitive to handling

• Coat changes in a confined area

• Fatigues quickly on walks

• Unwilling to exercise

• Weight gain through difficulty exercising

• Stiff when rising

• Weakness in hind limbs

• Lack of co-ordination or proprioception

• Reduced performance e.g. slowing down/seems old before their time or unusual mistakes during agility

How massage can help:

• Reduced or resolved pain

• Strengthen muscle by releasing the restrictive bands

• Improves range of motion

• A dog is more willing to be touched/groomed/petted/examined

• It can address, resolve and support chronic pain with great success and is key to pain management

• The dog can find it easier to settle/rest

• Improved sleep quality

• Improved sporting performance with reduced recovery periods