If you are hurting in your back or other areas of the body, it may be due to muscle knots that are known as trigger points. These points will often be a small area in the muscle that is very tender or sore. These knots cause pain in a specific region, and the pain may be felt in another area of the body, and this known as referred pain. Trigger point therapy is aimed at relieving pain that can be caused by these knots in the muscles.

How Muscle Knots Cause Pain

You may notice that there is a tiny area in a muscle that is very sore or tender. If pressure is applied to this area it may hurt, and then it may actually feel better. During treatment, a skilled therapist applies the right amount of pressure to the knot. If not enough pressure is applied, results may be limited and temporary.

If an untrained person stimulates muscles knots, they may actually over stimulate them. This can sometimes lead to bruising, and can increase pain in some cases. If one stimulates the muscle knot a great deal, tissue damage may result and this may only serve to compound the issue. This is why the technique should be administered by a trained therapist.

What Happens During Treatment

Often times your trigger point therapy will include muscle massaging. Your trained therapist applies pressure to relax and cause knots to release their hold on muscles. These areas are usually tender and can cause pain when touched. In fact, it may reproduce pain responses that you are experiencing. However, this part is necessary.

Do not be alarmed if pressure that the therapist applies causes pain in another area of the body. This pain will not last long, and once the muscle knot is relaxed, the pain will leave and not return. However, this often requires multiple sessions, as your muscles do not get in this condition overnight.

Benefits

When you receive trigger point therapy from a trained therapist, it can help to increase circulation in the muscles and the body. You may have a great deal more motion and mobility. Also muscles may be less tense, and more supple.

Often times massage can help with pain, but only for a short time. Yet, when knots in muscles are worked out, pain relief can be more lasting. These muscle knots may be the source of some painful conditions, and alleviated them treats the cause instead of the symptoms. Also, posture and habits can have a great deal to do with muscle knots, and these issues may need to be addressed.

Final Thoughts

Trigger point therapy can be used for many different painful conditions. Your treatment may start with massage and when a muscle knot is noticed, the trained therapist will apply pressure to make the knot release its grip on the muscle. When this grip is released, it can often help with pain, and sometimes the pain can be in other areas of the body. Once you receive these treatments, pain may improve as well as mobility. Your muscles may be less sore and stiff, and you may find yourself returning to your normal activities.