Trigger point therapy what is it? 

Muscle knots, sore spots that radiate to other parts of the body: we almost all suffer from them from time to time. Trigger point therapy is a treatment method that targets exactly those small cramps in your muscles. By putting targeted pressure on these so-called trigger points, muscle tension is reduced and the recovery process can speed up. Not only does pain decrease, blood flow also improves, allowing oxygen and nutrients to do their work again in the muscle tissue.

What exactly are trigger points?

Trigger points are small, localised spasms in a muscle. They feel like a hard, sensitive spot and can cause pain that radiates to other parts of the body. Think of a headache caused by a tense neck muscle or tingling in the arm from your shoulder. These points often arise from overuse or injury; stress, incorrect posture, lack of exercise or nutritional deficiencies can also be a cause.

Complaints caused by trigger points:

• Muscle stiffness or cramp
• Reduced strength
• Pain or nagging sensation
• Numbness or tingling
• Reduced coordination
• Long-term joint wear
• Inflammatory symptoms

Although these symptoms sometimes seem vague, the cause is usually surprisingly treatable.

How does Trigger Point Therapy work?

A therapist locates the trigger points and applies pressure with the fingers, a special tool or sometimes with dry needling. This pressure causes the muscle fibres to relax. It can feel painful, but that very pain indicates that the point is active. After treatment, tension decreases, pain subsides and mobility improves.

The power is not only in the treatment itself, but also in the knowledge you are given. Many therapists teach you how to treat trigger points yourself at home, for instance with a massage ball or foam roller. This makes it a practical, accessible method that you can control yourself.

A real-life example: 

Mark (37) works as a graphic designer and was experiencing increasingly frequent headaches and a stiff neck. After examination, trigger points in his trapezius muscle were found to be the culprit. With a combination of manual therapy and simple home stretching exercises, he was symptom-free within a few weeks. 

Scientific foundation

Research shows that trigger point therapy is effective in reducing pain and improving function in people with muscle-related complaints. A review study published in Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies showed that consistent treatment of myofascial trigger points leads to a significant reduction in pain symptoms in both acute and chronic problems (Fernández-de-Las-Peñas et al., 2021).

Wondering which therapists offer trigger point therapy in your area? Check out the list of accredited professionals on therapievergelijk.nl.