Ischemic compression is a therapy technique used in
manual therapy
Manual therapy, or manipulative therapy, is a physical treatment primarily used by physical therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists to treat musculoskeletal pain and disability; it mostly includes kneading and manipulation of ...
, where
blockage of blood in an area of the body is deliberately made, so that a resurgence of local blood flow will occur upon release.
[Montanez-Aguilera FJ; Valtuena-Gimeno N; Pecos-Martin D; Arnau-Masanet R; Barrios-Pitarque C; Bosch-Morell F (2010). ''Changes in a patient with neck pain after application of ischemic compression as a trigger point therapy.'' Journal of Back & Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, 23(2), 101–104. ]
Ischemic compression is commonly applied to
trigger point
Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), also known as trigger points, are described as hyperirritable spots in the skeletal muscle. They are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers. They are a topic of ongoing controversy, ...
s, in what is known as trigger point therapy, where enough sustained pressure is applied to a trigger point with a tolerable amount of pain, and as discomfort is reduced, additional pressure is gradually given.
See also
*
Myofascial release
Myofascial release (MFR, self-myofascial release) is an alternative medicine therapy claimed to be useful for treating skeletal muscle immobility and pain by relaxing contracted muscles, improving blood and lymphatic circulation, and stimulatin ...
References
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Physical therapy