Trigger points or muscle “knots” are sensitive spots in soft tissue, and too many of them is “myofascial pain syndrome.” They are usually described as micro-cramps, but the science is half-baked and their nature is controversial. Regardless, these sore spots are as common as pimples, often alarmingly fierce, and they seem to grow like weeds around injuries. They may be a major factor in back and neck pain, as a cause, a complication, or a bit of both.
Trigger point therapy mostly consists of rubbing and pressing on trigger points — which can feel like an amazing relief. Dry needling is a popular (and dubious) method of stabbing trigger points into submission with acupuncture needles. Treatment is not rocket science1 — it’s much too experimental to be so exact! It’s a bit of a crapshoot, lots of trial and error, but anyone can learn enough to relieve some minor pain problems cheaply and safely, and maybe some bigger ones, too. Advanced therapy for people with many stubborn trigger points goes beyond fighting brush fires and in search of medical factors.
There are many possible causes of unexplained aches and pains, but trigger points are an interesting piece of the puzzle for many people, and offer some potential for relief.
Myofascial Release is a safe and very effective hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the Myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. This essential “time element” has to do with the viscous flow and the piezoelectric phenomenon: a low load (gentle pressure) applied slowly will allow a viscoelastic medium (fascia) to elongate.
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