As the season changes so does many of our training routines.  The time we put into training a couple months ago seems to have slipped between our fingers.  The name of the game at this time of year is cram as much workout as you can into the shortest amount of time possible; the simple 3% increase on mileage rule has been thrown to the wayside in an attempt to remain sane during the holidays.  A long run or ride provides freedom from the hectic nature of the holiday season, the in-laws living in the spare bedroom, and the burnt turkey smell that still lingers in air. But what goes hand in hand with a jumpy workout schedule…muscle knots that reflect that schedule. Many of us use heating pad or ice packs and elevate hoping that some combination can give the relief that we are striving for, but more often than not these options provide only temporary relief. The answer to tight muscle knots could be as simple as an oblong ball and a foam roller with inline skate wheels mounted on each side, Trigger Point Therapy.

The Trigger Point Therapy system stems off the idea that the body is covered in trigger points. If you apply pressure to the trigger points, you can break up the sore muscles around and increases oxygen and blood flow to the sore muscle that needs it:

 “Trigger Point Therapy-

Once the pressure is applied and the user takes a deep breath, the trigger point of the targeted muscle is forced to relax, and the spasm is relieved. When using Trigger Point's Performance tools, three to five minutes of pressure within each muscle group is all that is needed. This method is recommended before and after workouts and races and prior to stretching. Athletes tend to overdo things. That's what gets them into the painful situation in the first place. Moderation is the key.”

Relief is also the key to what is going to keep us all able to take advantage of the time we have to be on the road or in the gym during this time of year. Give yourself a gift before holidays that will keep you feeling loose and limber, so that when that turkey trot or jingle bell run takes place you will right up there in the front.

You can find our offering of Trigger Point Products at the following link:

http://www.trinationsports.com/product.sc?productId=477&categoryId=64

-Casey Swenson