Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger Point Therapy is a hands-on technique that uses sustained, targeted pressure on specific areas of muscle tension known as trigger points.
Trigger points are small, localised areas within a muscle that feel tight or sensitive when pressed. They can develop through repeated use, prolonged positioning, or ongoing muscle load.
This approach focuses on applying steady pressure directly to the trigger point. The aim is to work with the local muscle tissue rather than the whole muscle group.
Trigger Point Therapy is pressure-based and precise. It is used when a clearly defined area of muscle tension is contributing to discomfort or movement restriction.
What Trigger Point Therapy focuses on
Trigger Point Therapy is used when muscle tension is localised and clearly defined rather than spread through a wider area.
It focuses on muscles that feel tight, dense, or sensitive to direct pressure. These areas may feel different to the surrounding tissue and may respond strongly when compressed.
This approach is commonly applied when movement feels restricted, certain positions aggravate symptoms, or pressure in one spot reproduces a familiar sensation.
The clinical focus is on the muscle itself and how that localised tension behaves under sustained pressure, rather than on global movement patterns or full-body assessment.
How sustained pressure is used
A trigger point is a localised area within a muscle, but the sensation it produces is not always felt only at that spot.
When pressure is applied, the sensation may be felt nearby or in a familiar pattern away from the point being worked on. This is known as referred sensation.
These patterns are consistent within certain muscles. A trigger point in one area may produce a recognisable response elsewhere along the same muscle or into an adjacent region.
Understanding this behaviour helps explain why pressure in a small, specific area can reproduce sensations that feel broader or harder to pinpoint during everyday movement.
How trigger points can affect surrounding areas
A trigger point is a localised area within a muscle, but the sensation it produces is not always felt only at that spot.
When pressure is applied, the sensation may be felt nearby or in a familiar pattern away from the point being worked on. This is known as referred sensation.
These patterns are consistent within certain muscles. A trigger point in one area may produce a recognisable response elsewhere along the same muscle or into an adjacent region.
Understanding this behaviour helps explain why pressure in a small, specific area can reproduce sensations that feel broader or harder to pinpoint during everyday movement.
What to expect during treatment
Trigger Point Therapy is typically delivered with the client in a relaxed, supported position that allows access to the target muscle.
Pressure is applied gradually and held for a short period. Sensations can range from mild discomfort to a stronger, localised response, depending on the area being worked on.
Communication is important during this process. Pressure is adjusted based on feedback and tissue response, rather than pushed beyond tolerance.
The session focuses on specific points rather than continuous movement across the area. Time is spent where the tissue shows a clear response to sustained pressure.
When Trigger Point Therapy may be appropriate
Trigger Point Therapy may be considered when muscle tension feels localised and can be clearly identified through touch or pressure.
It is often used when discomfort is linked to specific positions, repeated movements, or sustained muscle load, rather than generalised soreness.
This approach may not be suitable in areas where pressure is not tolerated, where tissue is highly reactive, or where there are underlying conditions that limit direct manual pressure.
As with any hands-on technique, suitability depends on the individual presentation and how the tissue responds during the session.
Working with recurring muscle tension
Trigger points can return when the same muscles are exposed to repeated load, prolonged positions, or ongoing strain.
For this reason, Trigger Point Therapy is often applied to areas that show recurring sensitivity rather than as a one-off intervention.
Sessions may focus on monitoring how specific points respond over time, including changes in sensitivity, tissue feel, or how the area reacts during daily activity.
This section of the work remains local and specific. The focus stays on how individual trigger points behave rather than on broad treatment of surrounding regions.
Considering Trigger Point Therapy
If you are exploring Trigger Point Therapy, the next step is understanding whether this pressure-based approach fits your current presentation.
Some people prefer to read through appointment types and session options before deciding. Others may already have a clear sense of the area they want addressed.
If you would like to explore availability or see how sessions are structured, you can view appointment options through the online booking page.
This allows you to make an informed choice without committing beyond what feels appropriate.
FAQs
What does a trigger point feel like when pressure is applied?
A trigger point often feels like a small, sensitive area within the muscle. When pressure is applied, the sensation may feel sharp, deep, or achy in that specific spot. Some people notice a familiar or recognisable sensation rather than something new.
Is Trigger Point Therapy meant to be uncomfortable?
The pressure used can feel strong, especially over sensitive areas. However, it should remain tolerable. Pressure is adjusted based on feedback and tissue response, not forced beyond comfort.
Why does pressure in one spot sometimes feel like it spreads elsewhere?
Some trigger points produce referred sensation, where pressure in a localised area is felt nearby or along a familiar pattern. This is a known characteristic of certain muscles and helps explain why a small area can feel more involved than expected.