What are Trigger Points?

Trigger points are painful points in muscles that are tight, injured, or over-worked. Often described as “a knot” in the muscle, these focal points of tenderness will usually cause a deep ache and can radiate pain out to other areas in a somewhat predictable pattern. Trigger points are theorised to be local areas of contracted fibres within a muscle.

The chronic tightening is thought to lead to reduced blood flow which in turn contributes to a build up of waste products, such as lactic acid, and increased sensitivity of the muscle which in turn leads to more muscle tightening and reduced circulation, eventually the area runs low on energy making it hard for the muscle fibres to then release – a situation classed as motor endplate energy-crisis phenomenon. This cycle builds: a painful muscle contains trigger points and trigger points lead to further muscle pain.
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In this article, we aim to enlighten you about trigger points, including their symptoms, causes, and various classifications. Most importantly, we’ll discuss treatment options available at Duston Chiropractic Clinic to help you find relief from these bothersome knots. Whether you’re an athlete, a desk worker, or someone who simply wants to understand more about muscle health, this guide is for you.

• Pain: The main symptom of trigger points is pain, which can vary between a sharp, stabbing sensation or a deep, dull ache.
• Referred Pain: Trigger point pain often radiates beyond the affected muscle. For example, a trigger point in the shoulder may cause pain that travels down the arm or into the head, potentially leading to tension headaches.
• Muscle Stiffness: Trigger points frequently cause muscle stiffness. Affected muscles may feel tight or hard, making movement difficult and reducing the range of motion.
• Limited Mobility: Daily tasks like turning your head, reaching for items, or walking may become uncomfortable or challenging due to restricted muscle movement.
• Muscle Imbalance: As stiff muscles struggle to function, other muscles may compensate, leading to movement imbalances and increased discomfort.

While some mild muscle pain can be managed at home with rest and stretching, there are times when professional help is necessary. If your pain is persistent or severe, it’s important to seek medical advice. Signs that you should see a medical professional include:

• Pain that lasts for more than a few days and doesn’t improve with rest or home treatments
• Pain that spreads beyond the original area or affects multiple muscles
• Significant muscle stiffness that limits your movement or interferes with daily activities
• Any associated symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected muscles

If trigger points are left untreated, they can lead to a range of complications that can make everyday life increasingly difficult.

Trigger points are believed to inhibit the function of antagonist muscles. For example, tight triceps may reduce the effectiveness of the biceps, or tight hip flexors can restrict the action of the hip extensors. The presence of trigger points in certain muscle groups has been linked to specific syndromes, such as upper cross syndrome, a common postural issue first described by Vladimir Janda. This syndrome is frequently seen in people who spend long hours working at desks, leading to overuse and tightening of muscles around the shoulders and may even cause neck pain.
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As a result, muscles like the chest, upper trapezius, scalenes, and SCM become stiff, while the deep neck flexors and shoulder blade stabilisers weaken. This imbalance can gradually cause symptoms such as neck, mid-back, or shoulder pain, as well as headaches—conditions commonly treated at Duston Chiropractic Clinic. While perfect posture may not exist, maintaining a prolonged posture, such as sitting at a desk, can lead to multiple symptoms, often involving trigger points in the affected muscles.

Identifying trigger points involves a thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional, who will assess your symptoms and examine your muscles.

Healthcare providers typically use palpation, or gentle pressing, to locate trigger points in the muscle. The muscle will feel tight or knotted, and pressing on the trigger point will often reproduce the pain you’ve been experiencing. A detailed patient history is also important to determine any activities, postural habits, or injuries that may have contributed to the development of trigger points.
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In most cases, imaging techniques like X-rays or MRIs are not required to diagnose trigger points. However, if your healthcare provider suspects there may be other underlying issues, such as a structural problem with your joints or bones, they may order imaging tests to get a clearer picture.

While trigger points can develop for a variety of reasons, there are several effective strategies to prevent them from forming. Incorporating small changes into your daily routine can make a big difference in keeping your muscles healthy and pain-free.

• One of the most effective ways to prevent trigger points is through regular physical activity. Staying active helps keep your muscles flexible and strong, reducing the likelihood of them becoming tense and overworked.
• Activities such as walking, swimming, or cycling can help maintain muscle health and prevent the stiffness that often leads to trigger points.
• Additionally, incorporating stretching exercises into your routine can promote flexibility, prevent muscle imbalances, and reduce the risk of trigger points forming.
• For those who spend long hours sitting at a desk, ergonomics is key. It’s important to set up your workstation properly to avoid straining your muscles. This means ensuring that your chair, desk, and computer are at the correct heights to maintain a neutral posture.

• Stress management plays a crucial role in preventing trigger points, as mental stress can often lead to physical muscle tension. Learning how to manage stress effectively can help reduce muscle tightness and prevent the formation of trigger points.

At Duston Chiropractic Clinic, we understand just how frustrating and painful trigger points can be. Luckily, with the right treatment, relief is possible. Our experienced team of healthcare professionals can help diagnose and treat your trigger points, offering long-lasting solutions to manage your pain and restore your muscle health.

Trigger points are small, hyperirritable spots within the muscles that can cause pain, stiffness, and even referred pain to other parts of the body. They often develop due to muscle overuse, poor posture, stress, or injury. Left untreated, trigger points can lead to chronic pain and affect your daily life. However, with proper treatment and prevention strategies, you can find relief from the discomfort they cause.
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At Duston Chiropractic Clinic, we offer a comprehensive range of treatments to effectively manage and relieve trigger points. Whether you’re experiencing acute pain or chronic muscle tightness, we provide a tailored approach to help you feel your best. Our treatments include:

• Chiropractic care: Chiropractic adjustments can help relieve tension in the muscles and restore proper alignment to the spine, reducing the likelihood of muscle tightness and trigger points forming.
• Physiotherapy: Our physiotherapy services focus on strengthening the muscles and improving flexibility to prevent the reoccurrence of trigger points.
• Manual therapy: Techniques like myofascial release and trigger point therapy are designed to directly target the areas of tension, providing relief from tight muscles and improving circulation.

Trigger point therapy is a frequently used treatment method within chiropractic, physiotherapy and other manual therapy groups. It consists of pressure being applied with a thumb, finger or sometimes a tool to the trigger point. This is often accompanied by a deep ache or pain which may or may not refer. Trigger points around the neck can often refer up into the head (sometimes the cause of cervicogenic headaches) and trigger points around the gluteal muscles and piriformis can refer to pain that mimics sciatica.

When receiving this type of treatment, it’s important the any discomfort is well within your tolerance. It is NOT a case of no pain, no gain. The more it hurts the more the body may tense up, so a general rule of “no more than 6-7/10 on a pain scale” should apply. It usually eases off within a minute or so. If these areas are too sore to trigger point then there are lots of options for more comfortable techniques.
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Our chiropractic treatments involve gentle adjustments to the spine, which can help relieve muscle tension and restore proper alignment in the body. By ensuring the spine is in the correct position, chiropractic care can reduce the strain on muscles, helping to prevent trigger points from forming. These adjustments also improve nerve function, ensuring that muscles receive proper signals from the brain, promoting relaxation and reducing pain.