Trigger point therapy is a hands-on technique that involves the application of manual pressure to painful/irritable area of muscle(s) in order to relieve pain and muscle dysfunction in the body. Sometimes massage and trigger point therapy are performed at the same time. Trigger point therapy is also known as myofascial trigger point therapy. The pain caused by trigger points has been thought to be a major cause of disability in the work place.

Trigger points occur when the muscle is injured, traumatized or the individual has a poor posture. Repetitive exercises are also a common cause of inducing trigger points. Once these trigger points occur, they remain in the muscle and continue to cause pain, muscle dysfunction and limit the range of motion of nearby joints. Trigger points may be associated with myofascial pain syndromes or fibromyalgia. Trigger points are quite common and occasionally referred as knots in the muscle.

Trigger points are areas of painful points along the muscles of the body. There are two basic types of trigger points: active and latent.

Active trigger points usually cause muscular pain and will often cause the pain to radiate to another part of the body when local pressure is applied.

Latent trigger points only exhibit local pain when compressed but there is no radiation of pain to other parts of the body. Latent trigger points are thought to be responsible for causing joint stiffness and limitation the range of motion of the joints.

When a muscle has been affected by trigger points, the muscle may remain silent for some time. Any exercise or prolonged use of the muscle will cause it to go into spasm, cause pain or lack strength. On occasion, once the pain has started, the pain may be continuous and pain killers may be required. In those with chronic conditions, palpation of the muscle may reveal a tense muscle, which is tender to touch and will easily go into spasms

The purpose of trigger point therapy is to eliminate pain, rid the muscles of trigger points and induce relaxation in the muscles. Usually after several treatments, the tenderness, swelling and stiffness of muscle is reduced, range of motion is improved, tension is relieved, and muscle contraction is back to normal.

Trigger point therapy works by eliminating the tender points along the muscles. The trigger points are identified by applying gentle finger pressure on the muscle and finding spots of extreme tenderness. Digital pressure is then applied to the area on the muscle for 5-7 seconds. The amount of pressure applied is determined by patient tolerance of the pain and location of the muscle. Once the pressure is relieved, the majority of individuals claim that there is a sense of relaxation and relief from pain.

It is recommended that one wear loose comfortable clothing. One may not require to undress in most cases unless the therapy involves the inner parts of the body muscles. In most cases, the therapy is done in the doctor’s office or clinic and takes about 30-45 minutes per session.

Trigger points differs from acupressure point therapy. Acupressure points are concentrations of energy or blockages of the body's energy pathways along certain meridian pathways. Trigger points are actual physical masses of muscle knots that can be palpated.

Usually trigger point therapy is done in combination with massage or physiotherapy. These exercises are done to prevent the muscle from going back into spasm. Massage therapy helps to maintain the muscle relaxation and decrease the pain. Once a muscle is free from pain the exercises should be continued with some strengthening exercises added in as a preventative tool against future problems.

Depending on the condition and its duration, trigger point therapy may be required for weeks to months. Generally the treatment is done twice weekly in combination with massage or physical therapy.