You may have felt it – a tender, hard knot in your neck or shoulder that won’t budge. It’s called a trigger point, and it’s one of the most common causes of muscle pain and tension in the body.
What exactly is a trigger point?
A trigger point is a hyperirritable spot in a muscle – a small area where the muscle fibers have become locked in a sustained contraction. It is not the same as a muscle spasm, but rather a localized, chronic mini-tension that does not release on its own.
The term was popularized by doctors Janet Travell and David Simons, who in the 1980s mapped hundreds of trigger points in the body and described their typical pain patterns.
Active and latent trigger points
There are two main types:
- Active trigger points cause spontaneous pain – you feel them yourself without anyone pressing on them. They can radiate pain to other areas of the body (referred pain).
- Latent trigger points are not painful at rest, but are tender when pressed and can limit mobility and muscle strength.
Referred pain – pain that radiates
One of the most fascinating – and confusing – aspects of trigger points is that they often cause pain in a completely different place than where they are located. For example, a trigger point in the neck muscles can cause a headache in the temple. A trigger point in the buttocks muscles can radiate down the leg and resemble sciatica. Read more about common places in the body where trigger points occur .
Why do they occur?
Trigger points can develop as a result of overuse, poor posture, repetitive movements, injuries – or chronic stress . When a muscle does not get adequate rest and blood circulation, individual fibers can lock up and form a trigger point over time.
The good news is that trigger points can be treated effectively – and that the right treatment can provide quick and lasting pain relief .
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