Trigger Point Therapy: What It Is and How It Helps Relieve Chronic Pain

Author: Dr. Lauren Olney

Trigger Point Therapy: What It Is and How It Helps Relieve Chronic Pain

Living with chronic pain can be physically exhausting and emotionally draining. Whether you're experiencing muscle tightness, headaches, or discomfort from repetitive strain, trigger point therapy may offer the relief you've been searching for. This hands-on, therapeutic approach targets muscle knots that often cause radiating pain and limited mobility. But what exactly are trigger points, and how can this therapy help manage chronic pain effectively?

Let’s dive into the science, benefits, and what to expect during a trigger point therapy session.

What Are Trigger Points?

Trigger points are small, hyperirritable spots located within tight bands of skeletal muscle or fascia. These “knots” form when muscle fibers become stuck in a contracted state and cannot fully relax. Common causes include:

- Poor posture 
- Muscle overuse 
- Physical trauma 
- Emotional stress 
- Sedentary lifestyle

Trigger points can lead to myofascial pain syndrome, a chronic condition that causes referred pain—that is, pain that radiates from one area to another. For example, a trigger point in your neck might cause a headache or pain down your arm.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, trigger points are a significant source of musculoskeletal pain, often mistaken for nerve or joint problems.

What Is Trigger Point Therapy?

Trigger point therapy is a type of manual therapy designed to locate and deactivate trigger points using sustained pressure, massage, or dry needling techniques. The goal is to release muscle tightness, improve circulation, and restore natural movement patterns.

At The Winchester Institute, our trained practitioners use a combination of chiropractic care, soft tissue techniques, and rehabilitative exercises to address trigger points holistically.

How It Works

During a session, your provider will:

1. Palpate muscles to locate active or latent trigger points 
2. Apply targeted pressure using fingers, knuckles, or massage tools 
3. Encourage muscle release through stretching or postural guidance

Sometimes, a technique called ischemic compression is used, which involves applying steady pressure to the point until tension dissipates.

How Trigger Point Therapy Helps Relieve Chronic Pain

Trigger point therapy addresses the root cause of many common pain conditions rather than masking symptoms. Below are some of the powerful benefits patients experience:

Reduces Muscle Tension and Pain

Trigger points restrict normal blood flow and trap metabolic waste in the muscle, leading to inflammation and discomfort. By breaking up these knots, the therapy helps restore proper circulation and oxygen delivery to the tissue, alleviating pain at the source.

Improves Range of Motion

Tight, knotted muscles limit your flexibility and joint mobility. Releasing trigger points can restore normal muscle length and allow you to move more freely—especially beneficial for athletes, office workers, or anyone recovering from injury.

Eases Headaches and Migraines

Many chronic headaches, especially tension-type headaches, originate from trigger points in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. According to a study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, trigger point therapy significantly reduces headache frequency and intensity in sufferers.

Promotes Long-Term Healing

Because trigger point therapy focuses on underlying dysfunction, it promotes long-term healing rather than temporary relief. Combining it with corrective exercises and postural improvements, like we do at The Winchester Institute, supports lasting change.

Common Conditions Treated with Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is highly effective for managing pain associated with:

- Back and neck pain 
- Shoulder impingement 
- Sciatica 
- TMJ dysfunction 
- Carpal tunnel syndrome 
- Hip and knee pain 
- Plantar fasciitis

What to Expect During Your Appointment

A typical session begins with a brief assessment of your posture, movement, and pain areas. Your provider will then locate trigger points through palpation and begin treatment. You may experience:

- Mild discomfort during pressure application 
- A “referred” sensation in another part of the body 
- Relief and improved mobility shortly after

Most people feel better after just one session, but chronic conditions may require a series of visits combined with lifestyle adjustments for lasting results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is trigger point therapy painful? 

It can be uncomfortable at times, especially when pressure is applied to sensitive areas. However, most patients describe it as a “good hurt” that leads to noticeable relief.

How long does a session last? 

Sessions typically last between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the severity of your condition and number of areas being treated.

How many treatments will I need?

Every patient is different, but many see improvement in 2 to 6 sessions. Chronic issues may require ongoing care alongside rehabilitative exercise and ergonomic modifications.

Is this the same as a massage? 

While it shares similarities with deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy is more focused and therapeutic, targeting very specific problem areas rather than relaxing the whole body.

How Trigger Point Therapy Fits into Your Wellness Plan

At The Winchester Institute, we believe in a whole-body approach to health and pain management. Trigger point therapy is just one piece of the puzzle. We also incorporate:

- Chiropractic adjustments 
- Rehabilitative stretching 
- Corrective exercises 
- Postural education 
- Nutritional counseling

When integrated into a broader wellness plan, trigger point therapy helps our patients live healthier, more active lives—free from chronic pain.

Schedule Your Appointment at The Winchester Institute

If you’re tired of living with chronic muscle pain, limited movement, or tension headaches, it may be time to explore trigger point therapy.

Let the experts at The Winchester Institute in Dublin, Ohio help you find lasting relief through personalized, evidence-based care. Our team of chiropractors and rehab specialists is committed to helping you restore function, feel better, and live pain-free.

Schedule your appointment today!