What Exactly Is a Trigger Point?
We’ve all heard someone complain about “muscle knots.” But what are they, really? In the world of bodywork, those knots often have a name: trigger points.
A trigger point is a hyper-irritable spot within a taut band of muscle fibers or the connective tissue (fascia) surrounding it. When pressed, they often feel like small, dense nodules—and they can cause pain both at the site and in other parts of the body through what’s known as referred pain.
These tiny but powerful spots are some of the most common culprits behind muscle tightness, stiffness, and chronic pain, and my job is to help those spots release on their own!
Common Causes of Trigger Points
Trigger points don’t just appear out of nowhere. They typically form when muscles are placed under extra stress. Here are some of the most common causes:
Poor Posture – Sitting hunched at a desk or looking down at a phone for hours creates constant strain.
Muscle Overload – Repetitive movements, overexercising, or lifting incorrectly can overwhelm muscle fibers.
Nerve Entrapments – Tight muscles can pinch nearby nerves, sparking protective tension.
Habitual Movement Patterns – Daily activities, like carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder, create imbalances.
Injury or Trauma – Even minor accidents can cause protective muscle tightening.
Restricted Blood Flow – When circulation is limited, muscles don’t get the oxygen and nutrients they need to stay healthy and flexible.
Why Your Body Creates Trigger Points
Here’s the surprising part: trigger points are actually your body’s attempt to protect you!
When muscles sense stress or strain, they sometimes contract too much in a reflexive attempt to “guard” the area. While this over-correction seems counterintuitive, it’s your nervous system’s way of saying, “Don’t move too much—you might get hurt.”
Unfortunately, staying in that hyper-contracted state ends up doing the opposite: it limits movement, reduces circulation, and keeps you stuck in a cycle of pain.
How Massage Therapy Helps Release Trigger Points
The good news? Trigger points can be treated! With the right approach, muscles can “reset” and return to a healthier, more relaxed state.
Massage therapy techniques such as:
Myofascial Release to gently stretch and soften restricted connective tissue
Neuromuscular Therapy to target specific trigger points and calm the nervous system
Circulatory Massage to increase blood flow and oxygen supply
…can all help restore balance and ease pain. Many clients feel both immediate relief and long-term benefits when trigger points are addressed consistently.
When to Seek Help
If you’re experiencing:
Chronic stiffness in your neck, shoulders, or back
Headaches that feel like they start in your muscles
Pain that seems to “travel” or radiate to another area of the body
Recurring discomfort that stretching alone doesn’t solve
…trigger points may be playing a role.
Ready to Release Your Trigger Points?
You don’t have to live with constant knots, stiffness, or unexplained muscle pain. At Balanced Bodywork in San Diego, I specialize in techniques like myofascial release and neuromuscular massage to address trigger points at their root.
✨ Book a session today and give your body the relief it’s been asking for.
Warmly,
Nicki