Introduction to Trigger Point Therapy for horses
Welcome to this week’s blog!
This week I am going to talk about Trigger Point Therapy, one of the therapies I offer along side hands-on massage techniques.
Trigger Point Therapy is a skill and an art form in and of itself but it compliments massage therapy very well.
Trigger Point Therapy has been documented as far back as Ancient Egyptians as a human therapy, and is also used as a treatment for canines as well as equines.
This blog will only just touch the surface when it comes to discussing Trigger Point Therapy for horses, it’s application and it’s benefits. But I would just like to give you an idea of what it is all about so that you have an idea of what it is I am doing when treating your horses!
What is a Trigger Point?
A trigger point is a combination of lactic acid build-up and motor nerve ending irritation, mostly in the fleshy part (belly) of the muscle.
The term “trigger point” derives from the fact that when pressure is applied to a particular point, a pain signal will be sent to other parts of the body.
Trigger points can be found in any muscle of the body and are mostly caused by overwork with not enough stretching or rest.
They may also be caused by too much fatigue, nervous stress, restlessness, and boredom which can trigger the same muscular tension.
The below image shows some of the most common trigger points found on the horse.
Image credit - Andrew Eckley, Trigger Points For Horses
How is Trigger Point Therapy for horses applied?
After warming and loosening up the area to be treated with massage techniques, light pressure is applied at the location of maximum tenderness, or directly over the trigger point nodule.
The pressure is held until the muscle relaxes. Pressure may be applied with fingertips, the thumb, the elbow or The FascialEdge® and sometimes the phototonic red light, depending on which is most appropriate for your horse.
Some old, chronic trigger points may need up to 3 minutes of carefully applied pressure before completely releasing.
After the appropriate technique has been applied and the trigger point released the area will be drained thoroughly with further massage techniques.
In the above image I am applying the elbow technique to the horse’s gluteal muscles
What are the benefits of Trigger Point Therapy for horses?
Trigger Point Therapy can:
Improve flexibility and range of motion - pain causes reduced flexibility and range of motion. Trigger point therapy can be used to release muscle tension, improving flexibility and increasing overall range on motion.
Increase circulation to the previously contracted muscle fibres therefore enabling oxygen and nutrients to flow to the spot and enabling the muscle to become fully functioning again.
Improve Posture - tight muscles can have a negative effect on posture. Trigger point therapy can be used to relieve pain and tightness which, in turn, eases tension on the neck, shoulders, back and other areas that may be causing issues with posture.
If you think Trigger Point Therapy could benefit your horse, or if your horse is showing any signs of discomfort in the way they move or when they are handled please do contact me to book an assessment treatment for your horse.
In addition to my training with Centaur Equine Massage Training, I have also completed additional training in Trigger Point Therapy for horses with Niel Asher Training
Thank you for reading my blog, next week I will be discussing another of the equine therapies I offer as part of my treatments, this will be stretching.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or queries please so not hesitate to get in touch.
Thanks again,
Jess x
