Taut Band

Taut Band: A taut band is a localized contracture within a muscle without activation of the motor endplate by an action potential. Taut bands likely result from muscle fiber dysfunction and the processes that are also correlated with trigger point development. Generally, taut bands are treated with release techniques .

For more on trigger points, check out these courses and articles:

Courses

• Muscle Fiber Dysfunction and Trigger Points
• Trigger Point Assessment (and Palpation)

Articles:

• Motor Point Map
• Evidence of Altered Reciprocal Inhibition Associated with Latent Myofascial Trigger Points
• Trigger Point Release with Stretching Improved Plantar Heel Pain Better than Stretching Alone
• Kinesiology Tape Application to the Upper Trapezius Reduces Pain, Trigger Point Irritability and Increases Muscle Strength

What Causes Taut Bands?

• Taut bands can develop due to fatigue, chronic overuse, tissue trauma, movement impairment (postural dysfunction), and certain diseases. They are also associated with conditions like fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Symptoms include pain, stiffness, the sensation of "knots" in muscles, and reduced range of motion (ROM).

How Do You Treat Taut Bands (release tight muscles)?

• Treatment options for taut bands include compression techniques, needling, and trigger point therapies. Methods include dry needling, acupuncture, ischemic compression, spray and stretch, specific massage techniques, foam rolling, and using devices for self-administered compression of trigger points.

How Do You Palpate Taut Bands?

• To palpate taut bands, gently strum the muscle fibers perpendicular to their direction, feeling for differences in tension between adjacent fibers. Taut bands often feel like an overly tight "guitar string" within the muscle, extending from origin to insertion.

Trigger Point (Taut Band) Treatment (Related Courses):

Self-administered Techniques:

• Scapula Muscles: Release and Lengthening
• Shoulder Internal Rotator and Posterior Deltoid: Release and Lengthening
• Lumbar Extensor: Release and Lengthening
• Hip Flexor: Release and Lengthening
• Hip Internal Rotator: Release and Lengthening
• Hip External Rotator: Release and Lengthening
• Tibial External Rotator: Release and Lengthening
• Plantar Flexor: Release and Lengthening

Manual Techniques:

• Static Manual Release: Suboccipitals, Sternocleidomastoid (SCM), Scalenes and Cervical Extensors
• Static Manual Release: Upper Trapezius, Levator Scapulae and Splenii
• Static Manual Release: Upper Trapezius, Levator Scapulae, Rhomboids and Pectoralis
• Static Manual Release: Infraspinatus, Teres Minor, Subscapularis, Pectoralis Major and Posterior Deltoid
• Static Manual Release: Trunk Muscles
• Static Manual Release: Hip Flexors
• Static Manual Release: Hip Internal Rotators
• Static Manual Release: Hip External Rotators
• Static Manual Release: Tibia External Rotators - TFL, Vastus Lateralis, Biceps Femoris and Lateral Gastrocnemius
• Static Manual Release: Lower Leg Muscles