Trigger point therapy is a bodywork technique that involves the applying of pressure (8-12 seconds), to tender muscle tissue in order to relieve pain and dysfunction in other parts of the body. Usually massage and trigger point therapy are performed together. Trigger points are areas of tenderness in a muscle. There are two basic types of trigger points: active and latent.

       Active trigger points cause muscular pain and will refer pain and tenderness to another area of the body when pressure is applied.Latent trigger points only exhibit pain when compressed, they do not refer pain to other areas of the body and are believed to be one of the causes of stiff joints and restricted range of motion. Trigger points may be associated with myofascial pain syndromes or fibromyalgia. They are very common and differ from acupressure points.

       Acupressure points are concentrations of energy or blockages of the body's energy pathways. Trigger points are physical phenomena that can be felt by touch. The pain caused by trigger points may be the biggest cause of disability and loss of time in the workplace. Some common causes of trigger points are: birth trauma, an injury sustained in a fall or accident, poor posture, or overexertion. The purpose of trigger point therapy is to eliminate pain and to re-educate the muscles into pain-free habits. After several treatments, the swelling and stiffness of neuromuscular pain is reduced, range of motion is increased, tension is relieved, and circulation, flexibility and coordination are improved.