Feeling unexplained pain at various parts of our bodies is one of the most common physical experiences we all have faced. Quite often, the cause of the pain remains undiscovered and the pain relapses at regular intervals. Trigger point therapy tries to explain and cure such pain by applying pressure no the various “trigger points” which are believed to cause and transmit pain to distant areas of the body. Trigger point therapy causes a reduction in the swelling and stiffness of the sarcomeres, and the range of motion, and flexibility of movement is rapidly increased.

Trigger points

Trigger point therapists define trigger points as areas of tenderness in a muscle. They are also called ‘muscle knots’ sometimes. Trigger points are of two types – active and latent. The difference between these two is that the active trigger points cause pain in the muscles and are responsible for referring pain to other parts of the body on application of pressure. The latent trigger points do not refer pain to other parts of the body. Instead, they cause pain when compressed. Stiff joints and other muscle related problems in old age are believed to be the result of the latent trigger points.

Trigger points are caused due to several causes like injuries, poor postures, birth related problems, and overexertion.