Trigger Point Therapy - Common Shoulder Treatment Sequence
Shoulder problems affect 25% of the population. Trigger point therapy can be very effective for treating a range of shoulder pain issues. There are well documented protocols for treating rotator cuff tendinopathy, tendonitis, bursitis, and frozen shoulder syndrome.
Here I present a basic shoulder protocol, which should yield good results in terms of helping to alleviate symptoms for many common shoulder problems.
STEP 1: Study the anatomy and direction of the muscle fibers.
STEP 2: Sitting ICT to:
Supraspinatus
Upper Trapezius
Step 3: Massage area generously
STEP 4: Side-lying ICT to:
Deltoid—stroking upward only and pausing on trigger points
Teres Minor—letting hand fall off the bed
Step 5: Supine ICT to:
Pectoralis Minor
Infraspinatus (STP). Initially this can be very painful, but ask patient to let their shoulder gently fall backward onto your applicator, with deep breathing.
This trigger point therapy blog is intended to be used for information purposes only and is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or to substitute for a medical diagnosis and/or treatment rendered or prescribed by a physician or competent healthcare professional. This information is designed as educational material, but should not be taken as a recommendation for treatment of any particular person or patient. Always consult your physician if you think you need treatment or if you feel unwell.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is intended for educational purposes within the context of continuing education for massage therapists, continuing education for athletic trainers, continuing education for physical therapists, continuing education for chiropractors, and continuing education for rehabilitation professionals. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and reflect current understanding at the time of publication, practitioners must always work within the legal scope of their professional practice and follow all regional regulatory guidelines.
Hands-on techniques and clinical applications described in this material should only be performed by appropriately trained and licensed professionals. Individuals experiencing pain or symptoms should be referred to a qualified healthcare provider for assessment. Niel Asher Education is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage resulting from the use or misuse of the information provided in this content.
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