WHAT IS TRIGGERPOINT THERAPY?
You may have wondered where our name, TriggerPoint, comes from. Well, if you’ve ever had a stubborn knot in your neck or an aching spot in your back that just won’t go away, you may have been dealing with a trigger point. These tight, sensitive areas in muscle tissue can cause local pain or even send discomfort to other, nearby parts of the body. That’s where trigger point therapy comes in. It’s a massage therapy methodology that involves a targeted approach to help relieve muscle tension and restore movement. It’s not something unique to us at TriggerPoint, but we do happen to make a variety of unique solutions to empower you to utilize trigger point-style therapy in your daily wellness routine.
WHAT ARE TRIGGER POINTS?
Trigger points are hyperirritable spots located in tight bands of muscle fibers. They often feel like small, hard nodules or knots underneath the skin or atop muscles, and they can cause pain either at the site or in a nearby area of the body. For example, a trigger point in your shoulder might not only cause direct soreness in your shoulder muscle, but could also result in a headache or arm pain. These points can form due to overuse, injury, stress, poor posture, or muscle imbalances.
HOW DOES TRIGGER POINT THERAPY WORK?
Trigger point therapy involves applying direct pressure to these knots using the hands, tools, or other devices like massage balls, rollers, or percussive massage guns. The goal is to “release” the muscle tension and restore normal blood flow to the area, providing relief and improving comfort. There are several approaches to trigger point therapy, including:
Manual therapy: A massage therapist or practitioner applies pressure using their fingers, knuckles, or even elbows
Self-myofascial release: You apply pressure yourself using tools like massage balls, foam rollers, or handheld massage tools
Benefits of trigger point therapy can include:
Discomfort relief: Helps reduce muscle soreness, especially in chronic conditions
Improved range of motion: Loosen stiff or tight muscles
Better posture: Releasing trigger points can help rebalance the body
Enhanced athletic performance and recovery: Athletes often use trigger point-style therapy to help speed up recovery and reduce the likelihood of future discomfort
FINAL THOUGHTS
You don’t always need a deep-tissue massage to feel better. The right pressure, in the right place, can make a real difference. Trigger point therapy is more than just working out muscle knots. It’s all about restoring balance to your body, reducing discomfort, and helping your body move the way it was meant to. Whether you’re an avid athlete, someone who works at a computer all day, or someone managing chronic muscle tightness, exploring trigger point therapy could be a game-changer in your self-care routine. At TriggerPoint, we design self-massage tools that make utilizing methods like trigger point-style therapy, as well as general recovery, simple and effective, and that integrate easily into your everyday wellness routine.