Infrared Thermal Imaging of Myofascial Trigger Points

Apparently, trigger points are wamer than ordinary muscle tissue, so it is possible to locate them using thermal imaging.

The way I find them is to feel for a tight muscle then follow it until you find a trigger point. The trigger point is blocking blood flow, so the pressure is high on one side of the trigger point (unless there is more than one point). The high pressure makes the muscle tight; it can't lengthen fully.

Somewhere along that muscle is the trigger point. Pressure on it causes a special kind of pain. You know what thats like if you've ever reached back to massage a tight shoulder.

The chemicals in the trigger point are causing that pain and lack of blood flow. Forcing blood into the point can push those chemicals out, which is exactly what you want.

Stroking the trigger point with pressure a dozen times can get those chemicals out of there and restore normal blood flow. Don't do it too much though; its better to come back in a few hours and work it again than over do it in one sitting.

Once you restore normal blood flow, the muscle tightness will lessen and you can actually stretch it fully. Ahhhh...that feels so good.