Trigger Points and How They Work
- Willomoon Massage & Wellness
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Trigger points are tight spots in muscles that cause pain, and understanding them is key to effective massage therapy at Willomoon Massage & Wellness in Nazareth, PA. This knowledge enhances our holistic wellness approach, addressing pain at its source to nurture the mind, body, and spirit.
How It’s Done: Our therapist applies sustained pressure to trigger points for 30-60 seconds, using fingers or tools to release tension. This is done during a 60-minute session, targeting areas like the shoulders or back, with techniques adjusted to your tolerance, promoting relaxation and pain relief.
Benefits: Relieves referred pain, improves mobility, and reduces tension headaches. A 2019 Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies study confirmed trigger point therapy’s efficacy in pain reduction.
Supporting Research: The Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy supports trigger point massage for chronic pain, showing greatly improved function.
What Experts Are Saying...
On his widely respected Huberman Lab podcast, neuroscientist Andrew Huberman delves into the science of trigger points, describing them as hyper-irritable spots in muscle tissue that amplify pain signals by sensitizing surrounding nerves. He explains that these knots, often caused by stress, injury, or poor posture, can radiate discomfort to other areas, intensifying the perception of pain. Huberman advocates for targeted pressure techniques—such as sustained manual compression or self-massage with tools like a massage ball—as an effective way to deactivate these points, reduce nerve irritation, and promote relief. He emphasizes consistency, suggesting 30-60 seconds of pressure per trigger point, and highlights the importance of combining this with proper hydration and stretching for optimal results, offering a science-backed strategy that complements professional massage therapy.
What causes trigger points? Stress, injury, or poor posture are common triggers.
How do I identify them? They’re tender spots felt during massage.
Can I treat them at home? Gentle self-massage is possible, but professional care is best.
How Willomoon Massage & Wellness Can Help: At Willomoon Massage & Wellness in Nazareth, PA, our trigger point therapy releases muscle knots in 30, 60 or 90-minute sessions, alleviating pain and tension. Combined with targeted massage, it addresses chronic discomfort linked to deficiencies, offering weekly relief sessions and monthly maintenance for sustained wellness.
