Trigger point therapy is a hands-on physiotherapy technique used to relieve muscle pain, tightness, and referred pain caused by irritated muscle knots known as trigger points. These tight areas can cause pain locally or send pain to other parts of the body, even when there is no injury in that area.
Trigger points are tight, sensitive bands of muscle fibres that do not relax properly. They often feel like small knots within the muscle and can be painful when pressed.
A key feature of trigger points is referred pain. This means pain is felt somewhere different to where the trigger point actually is. For example, trigger points in the neck or shoulders can cause headaches, or trigger points in the hip can create lower back pain.
Trigger points develop when muscles are overloaded or stressed and do not recover properly.
Trigger point therapy works by applying sustained, targeted pressure to the affected muscle fibres. This helps:
As the muscle releases, pain often reduces and movement becomes easier. Treatment is always adjusted to your tolerance and guided by how your body responds.
Think of it like slowly loosening a tight knot in a rope. Once the knot eases, the rope can move smoothly again.
At Physio Pro, trigger point therapy is used as part of a structured physiotherapy approach. We focus on relieving pain while also addressing why the muscle became tight in the first place, helping you move better and reduce the risk of the pain returning.
Trigger point therapy is commonly used for:
For example, tight muscles in the upper neck and shoulders can refer pain into the head, contributing to headaches. Similarly, trigger points in the glute muscles can refer pain into the lower back or down the leg.
At Physio Pro, we take a hands-on, manual therapy approach to physiotherapy. Our focus is on reducing pain quickly while addressing the underlying cause to support long-term results.
Every treatment is personalised to your condition, movement patterns, and goals. We tailor your care to ensure you get the relief you need while feeling confident and supported throughout your recovery.
