My body is full of trigger points – tiny little contractions in my muscles that feel like "knots" and are often tender to the touch – especially in my legs. Trigger points develop in a muscle when it is injured or overworked. Trigger points can also cause pain elsewhere.
An avid triathlete since 1995, I've logged thousands of training hours training for 26 Ironman-distance triathlons plus dozens of other races. I've also crashed multiple times on my bike and fallen just as many times running. Consequently, some of my trigger points have probably been there for years. My biggest trigger point areas are my right glute and right hamstring, which I injured in 2008 during the Ocala Marathon then further aggravated two months later during the weeklong Special Operations Force Academy. Ever since then, my right leg has been weaker and tighter then my left, which has impacted my running significantly.
I've tried about every kind of therapy and treatment imaginable over the years including stretching, deep tissue massage, acupuncture, foam roller, chiropractor, yoga, etc. While each has its benefits and serve a purpose in training for endurance sports, my longtime trigger points have not gone away.
In January, I decided that enough was enough. I needed to get rid of these trigger points; otherwise, I'd continue to fall short of my performance potential.
Through Natalie King, PTA, CIMT of Schrier Physical Therapy in Gaithersburg, MD, I learned about Intramuscular Manual Therapy (IMT) last fall. BTW, Natalie is one of our instructors at the She Does Tri Camps for Women. Natalie is also a triathlete so gets the fact that I'm not going to stop exercising and that I need a treatment that complements my training rather than restricts me from training. Natalie had identified my glute weakness through her AMPT assessment and put me in orthotics to enable me to start running again consistently last year.
With IMT, also known as "trigger point dry needling," the therapist places a thin filament needle (same type of very thin needle used in acupuncture) into a muscle to deactivate and release trigger points (see picture above showing the back of my right leg with needles in my hamstring). Although exact mechanism by which IMT works is unknown, it creates biochemical changes at the trigger point, which causes the knotted muscle to release. Natalie also uses electrical stimulation run through the needles to further release the trigger points.
During my IMT treatment, I sometimes feel a slight prick from the insertion of the needle but mostly very little until the actual trigger point releases, which feels like a small jolt of electricity running down my leg to my toes or a slight cramping sensation – like a small, localized charlie horse. The treated area is sore for a day or two but walking, stretching and staying hydrated helps alleviate the soreness and tightness.
So far so good. I've been seeing Natalie once a week for the past five weeks and will continue to see her for another few weeks in spite of the 65 mile drive each way.
Last weekend for the first time in about 2 years, my legs felt balanced when running. I also feel like I truly do have a shot at my aggressive performance goals for this season.
Live strongly and boldly!
David
—-
David B. Glover
Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine: Fitting Iron Distance Training into Every Day Life
Triathlon Coach, Athlete and Writer
Web: enduranceworks.net
© 2010 David B. Glover
Whether you're training to win a triathlon, training to finish or just need inspiration from my life journey as a cancer survivor, Navy officer and sub-nine hour Ironman triathlete, my book will inspire you to chase your dreams and live life richly and boldly.