The Surprisingly Effective Results Using Trigger Point Therapy and Neuro-Muscular Technique (NMT)

"The daily clinical experience of thousands of massage therapists, physical therapists, and physicians strongly indicates that most of our common aches and pains, and many other puzzling physical complaints, are actually caused by trigger points. Pain clinic doctors have found that they are the primary cause of pain roughly 75% of the time and they play a part in virtually every pain problem."(The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook, Third Edition)

Trigger points are areas of myofascial tissue, the fibrous tissue that encloses and separates layers of muscles, where local circulation has been impeded to the extent that they are held in contracture. They are intensely painful and often characterised by referred pain patterns. Each trigger point forms characteristic referral patterns for an individual muscle that has been held in undue stress for long periods. Releasing these points can help manage and relieve the resulting pain. Many trigger points correspond closely with acupuncture points and channels, and their patterns have been widely mapped in clinical research.

Trigger points can cause headaches, neck and jaw pain, low back pain, tennis elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome. They can be the source of pain in joints such as the shoulder, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle, often mistaken for arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, or ligament injury. Trigger points can also contribute to a wide range of symptoms, including dizziness, earaches, sinusitis, nausea, heartburn, false heart pain, arrhythmias, genital pain, and numbness in the hands and feet. Fibromyalgia may also have its origins in persistent myofascial trigger points.

Posture, work activity, hobbies, and sports play a crucial role in trigger point formation. Faulty sitting, standing, or even unusual sleeping positions can contribute. Occupational posture, such as long hours at a desk, can maintain or exacerbate trigger points. Activities such as standing on one leg frequently, sitting cross-legged, or even habits like heavy smoking may contribute to trigger point formation in muscles including the biceps brachii and deltoid.

Muscles that commonly contain trigger points include: muscles of mastication, splenius, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, trapezius, levator scapulae, scalenes, wrist extensors, erector spinae, hamstrings, calves, gluteals, pectoralis, quadratus lumborum, quadriceps, and rhomboids.

Trigger points can feel like small nodules the size of a pinhead, pea-sized nodules, or larger lumps. They are often embedded in taut bands of semi-hard muscle that feel cord-like or rope-like. The skin over a trigger point area may also feel slightly warmer due to increased metabolic activity.

During a session, palpation (examining by touch) helps pinpoint the trigger point. I explore the tissue slowly with my fingers or thumbs, feeling for variations in tension and density. Often, the client experiences referred pain, a defining symptom of myofascial trigger points.

Muscles may be held in a tight position by occupational, emotional, habitual, or postural factors, causing the surrounding tissues to adapt to the shortened muscle length. This creates discomfort, stiffness, and tension in adjacent muscles and joints. Over time, the nervous system may treat this shortened tissue as “normal,” perpetuating tension even after recovery.

NeuroMuscular Therapy (NMT) complements trigger point therapy by focusing on both the muscles and the nervous system. NMT helps bring awareness to areas of tension, encouraging the nervous system to release protective holding patterns. This approach ensures that chronic muscle tightness is addressed not just locally, but also through the body’s neuromuscular feedback, allowing lasting relief and improved function.

Trigger point therapy uses deep, focused pressure on tender spots to stimulate a release. This may initially cause discomfort, which signals the nervous system to begin relaxing the contracted tissue. Pressure releases restricted blood flow, allowing oxygen and nutrients to return, reducing ischemic pain, and promoting relaxation. Endorphin release during treatment may also contribute to pain reduction and a sense of wellbeing.

I usually ask clients to report pain on a scale of 1 to 10. Pressure is applied slowly and carefully, too much pressure can cause muscle tightening, reducing effectiveness. Once located, a trigger point is treated with pressure held for around 90 seconds, released briefly, and re-applied a few times. Often, coordinating this with breathing exercises on the out-breath helps reduce discomfort and enhances the release.

The results can be profound. Chronic muscle pain is often significantly reduced, and clients frequently notice immediate improvements in movement, posture, and overall comfort. Trigger point therapy is not magic, but for those with longstanding muscle tension, it can feel transformational.

Find out more or book your Trigger Point Therapy in Bath or Bristol here.