Trigger Point Therapy works wonders in relieving myofascial pain from acute or chronic injury. It is one of the best-researched “medical massage” protocols. In fact, a 3rd edition of Drs Travell & Simons’ classic textbook was released last year.

For many therapists, Trigger Point Therapy can seem hard to fit into a standard massage session. I faced this dilemma 30 years ago after 1,000 hours of Trigger Point training.

I realized that Trigger Point treatments shouldn’t exist in an isolated bubble, and can be “supercharged” by complementary massage therapies.

After several years of experimentation, five key massage protocols emerged:

The sequence of Myofascial Spreading followed by CrossFiber Friction, Trigger Point Release, Longitudinal Stripping, and finishing up with Ice & Stretch has proven to be an effective way to integrate trigger point therapy with fascial re-education.

Individual protocols can also stand alone.

For example, years ago, I saw Dr Travell relieve a stiff neck from the time it took an elevator to drop from the top floor to the lobby using only an Ice and Stretch technique.

Dr Travell was also a genius as a “Pain Detective.” She championed the importance of investigating perpetuating factors.

For example, if gluteus minimus/medius pain patterns presented, she’d correct a long second toe configuration.

Or if a quadratus lumborum was involved, she’d include a thorough assessment for a hip height disparity. Or if low back pain was chronic, she’d investigate and treat a psoas/piriformis imbalance.

Then she’d give the client just one home corrective to do on their own.

When your massage session includes strategically integrated protocols -– and addresses perpetuating factors -- you’ll find your treatment is faster, easier and much more effective.