Myofascial Trigger Point therapy with Erin Kelly

Erin Kelly is a compassionate and experienced licensed massage therapist who has been helping people to feel their best since 2008.

She is known for her peaceful nature and expertise in myofascial trigger point therapy. You may be wondering what that means!

Myo = muscle and Fascia = connective tissue that encapsulates every muscle cell, as well as everything else within our body.

A trigger point is a tender area of taut fascia that creates a pattern of pain and/or dysfunction.

For example, feeling held stress/tension/ache/pain/stiffness through the side of the neck with a wrap around the eye headache pattern is attributed to a trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle. Applying sustained pressure combined with deep breathing and passive/active stretching releases the taut area and both eliminates the discomfort & restores function to the muscle.

Think of healthy fascia as a pliable gel that encapsulates each muscle cell and allows for a feel-good full range of motion through each joint along with the ability to load force evenly with optimal biomechanical alignment and optimal ability to feel both where you are in space and the sensations within your body.

Healthy fascia allows you to move freely while feeling your best!

A trigger point is a hyper-sensitive area that often feels very sore and tender when pressed into. Releasing these points takes presence, patience and skill. Erin loves to help you to understand this process so that you can self-treat with the use of therapy balls in between sessions. Her movement classes are lessons in how to do this.

Imagine a trigger point as a frozen section of this pliable gel. What would happen if you punched a block of ice with all your might?

It’s probably safe to say that your hand would be hurting while the block of ice remained unphased.

Now, let’s say you place a warm hand to the block of ice and wait.

What happens? The ice melts!

In the same way, a trigger point releases when a gentle, warm, listening touch is applied and you are able to breath with ease. Erin often describes the sensation as a ‘good hurt” because even though the trigger point is sore, the pressure feels relieving.

Myofascial trigger point therapy was developed by Dr. Janet Travell in the 1930’s. Erin began her training in Travell’s method right out of massage therapy school with Mary Biancalana, of The Chicago Center for Myofascial Pain Relief.

Erin can help with a wide range of issues, including but not limited too headaches, jaw pain, neck pain, frozen shoulder, tennis/golf elbow, forward head posture, ‘tech neck’ , anxiety symptoms coming from trigger points in the chest, shallow breathing, back pain, hip pain, sciatica, bursitis, knee pain, foot pain and issues like bunions & plantar fasciitis.

Every session with Erin is a unique experience, thoughtfully tailored to meet your needs. She enhances her sessions with the use of heated Himalayan salt stones, aromatherapy and music.

To schedule your session, please call or text us at (773) 569-1015

Sessions are available Tuesday through Saturday at our Palos Heights Studio.

Rates: One Hour Session: $110 / 90-Minute Session: $150