What is Trigger Point Therapy?

A trigger point (TrP) was first defined by Dr Travell & Dr Simons as “a highly irritable localized spot of exquisite tenderness in a nodule in palpable taut band of muscle tissue”.  Within muscles are thousands if not millions of microscopic muscle fibers which contract independently to make a muscle/joint move. Travell & Simons hypothesized that trigger points occur when muscle fiber sarcomeres are either acutely, sustained and/or repetitively overloaded. TrPs can be active (producing pain) OR latent (no pain) but will always be self-perpetuating to some degree – depending on how long the TrP has been activated.

Localised tension pressure in and around a nodule or ‘knot’ can create a “energy crisis” meaning starvation of oxygen and accumulation of waste products within the muscle fiber, without innervation from motor units (nerve signals). This is only a theory that has been strongly refuted by some researchers and clinicians claiming the effects are purely neurological and/or placebo.

However clinical experience makes me and many, many other professionals believe Trigger Point therapy can affect pain (relief) in a mechanical and neurological way – one cannot treat/affect one without the other – and is part of the biopsychosocial approach to successful treatment of pain and dysfunction. 

If in pain, pressure on the Trigger Point will invariably recreate your pain (which maybe in a completely different place to where pressure is applied).  The referral pain patterns may not correspond to any dermatome or neuroanatomy lines, so there must be another explanation.    With over 80 years of clinical experience between them Travell & Simons developed ‘pain pattern’ maps of the body which indicate where myofascial TrPs are more likely to be depending where you have pain (which I think was their original intention).   In my experience it has not always been 100% accurate – but it is a great starting point to begin assessment and treatment of muscular pain.

During a treatment session we may incorporate trigger point therapy into sports or remedial massage therapy as an effective way to relieve a variety of pain complaints.  To check availability and book and appointment please check here.