Trigger Point Therapy: Benefits, Relief & Muscle Re-education

Trigger point therapy is a bodywork technique that aims to relieve pain and body dysfunction. It also restores the muscle to the natural state so that optimal health benefits can be achieved. Trigger point therapy re-educates the muscles to become pain free.

Technique

• Trigger point therapy is a technique in which pressure is applied to muscular tissue. Massage and trigger point therapy can be used together.

Benefits

• Benefits range from pain relief and an increase in flexibility to an improvement in circulation, energy levels and immune system functioning.

Causes

• Common causes of trigger points include injury from an accident, poor posture and overuse. Trigger points can also occur from a birthing trauma.

Types

• Active trigger points cause muscular pain and refer pain to other areas of the body. Latent trigger points cause pain when compressed.

History

• Trigger point therapy was developed by Dr. Janet Travel in the 1940s. Trigger point therapy can also be called myofascial trigger point therapy.