A trigger point is a hyper irritable spot within a taught band of skeletal muscle that is painful on compression, stretch, overload or contraction. Often these are the areas which most people refer to as a 'knot' or painful spot on the body.

 

A trigger point, or knot, can be very tender and often respond with referred pain either locally, or to a site that may not be where you feel the tight/painful spot. 

 

This therapy can help alleviate pain, improve flexibility and range of motion, and promote relaxation. By applying pressure to the trigger points, the therapist can release tension and promote healing in the affected area.

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Causes of Myofascial Trigger Points:

• Trigger Points can develop with or without damage

• Mechanical Causes (stress such as repetitive activity, sustained overuse, postural imbalances)

• Metabolic Causes (chemical reactions)

• Acute injury or trauma

• Chronic injury or pain

• Psychological or emotional stress

Symptoms of Myofascial Trigger Points:

• Aching

• Tiredness/heaviness

• Feeling of fatigue

• Muscle stiffness

• Local and radiating pain

• Deep and non-specific pain

• Muscle weakness

• Reduced ROM

• Tender to pressure

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Trigger points are often easily identified on palpation and pain can quickly be minimized with sustained compression on the affected tissue for 30 to 90 seconds. Some discomfort may be experienced when the compression is applied but the therapist will position the muscle to minimize the discomfort until such time it subsides completely. 

Trigger Point Therapy is recognised as an effective treatment for pain and is useful in breaking chronic pain patterns. People seeking physiotherapy, massage and other modalities often combine their treatments with Trigger Point Therapy for greater recovery time and better mobility.

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Benefits:

• Release and deactivate trigger points

• Reduce muscle tension

• Enhance blood circulation

• Release endorphins (the body’s natural pain-moderating chemicals)

• Increase range of motion

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If you're looking for a natural way to relieve muscle pain and tension, trigger point therapy may be worth considering.