What is Trigger Point Therapy?
If you’ve ever felt a small, tender lump in your muscle that sends pain shooting to another area when pressed, you’ve likely encountered a trigger point. Sometimes called “muscle knots,” trigger points are areas of tight, irritated muscle fibers that remain contracted, even when the muscle should be at rest.
These knots can develop for a variety of reasons:
- Repetitive movements or overuse at work or in sports
- Poor posture or prolonged sitting
- Injury, such as from an auto accident or fall
- Stress and muscle tension
- Lack of proper stretching before and after activity
Over time, these points can cause localized pain or referred pain — discomfort felt in another part of the body. For example, a trigger point in your upper back might cause pain in your neck or even trigger tension headaches.
What Is Trigger Point Therapy?
Trigger point therapy is a focused, hands-on treatment designed to locate and release these painful knots. A trained provider applies sustained pressure directly to the trigger point, encouraging the muscle fibers to relax, improving blood flow, and allowing the area to heal naturally.
Benefits of Trigger Point Therapy
- Pain Relief – By releasing the tight muscle fibers, pressure on surrounding nerves is reduced, helping to ease both sharp and dull muscle pain.
- Improved Range of Motion – Once the knot is released, muscles can move freely again without restriction.
- Better Posture – Tense muscles can pull your body out of alignment; releasing them helps restore balance.
- Faster Healing – Increased circulation brings oxygen and nutrients to the area, speeding up recovery.
- Reduced Stress – The release of muscle tension can also help calm the nervous system.
How Chiropractic Care Uses Trigger Point Therapy
At Rainey Chiropractic, we often combine trigger point therapy with chiropractic adjustments. Here’s why:
- Releasing muscle knots before an adjustment helps the spine move more easily and comfortably.
- Muscles and joints work together — when one is restricted, it can cause stress on the other.
- Combining both treatments can help results last longer and prevent pain from returning.
This approach is especially effective for patients recovering from auto accidents, sports injuries, or chronic muscle tension.
Don’t Let Muscle Knots Control Your Life
Trigger points may seem small, but they can have a big impact on your comfort, movement, and overall health. Addressing them early can prevent pain from spreading or becoming chronic.
If you’ve been living with stubborn muscle pain, limited mobility, or tension headaches, trigger point therapy at Rainey Chiropractic could be the relief you’ve been looking for.
📞 Call our office today to schedule your appointment and start moving pain-free again!
