Trigger Point Therapy · Knot release

Trigger point therapy — finding the knot, releasing the pain.

Trigger points are tight, painful spots in muscle that refer pain to other parts of the body. Trigger point therapy locates them and releases them with sustained, focal pressure — sometimes with dry needling, sometimes with thumb-and-elbow work. Intense, but effective.

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What a trigger point is and why it hurts elsewhere.

A trigger point is a small, taut band of muscle fibres that’s become hypercontracted and won’t release on its own. They feel like a hard knot when palpated. The interesting thing — and why they’re worth treating — is that they often refer pain to a different area entirely.

A trigger point in the upper trap refers pain up into the side of the head. One in the gluteus minimus refers down the back of the leg in a pattern that looks like sciatica. People can spend years treating where the pain feels like it’s coming from, when the actual source is somewhere else.

Trigger point therapy locates the specific tight band, then releases it with sustained pressure for 30-90 seconds. Sometimes we use a dry needle for deeper points. The pain often disappears for hours-to-days, and over a course of treatment the trigger point itself stops re-forming.

What trigger point therapy helps with

Six common trigger point referral patterns we treat.

These are the muscle-and-referral patterns that come up most often in our clinic.

Headaches from neck and shoulder

Upper traps, levator scapulae, splenius. The big drivers of tension headaches that feel like they’re behind the eye or at the temple.

Sciatica-like leg pain

Glute minimus and piriformis trigger points refer down the back of the leg in patterns that mimic nerve compression. Always worth checking before going down the disc-pathology path.

Frozen-shoulder-like restriction

Infraspinatus and subscapularis trigger points lock down shoulder movement and refer into the upper arm. Often treatable when the shoulder isn’t really frozen.

Jaw and facial pain

Masseter and pterygoid trigger points refer into the jaw, teeth, ear and side of the head. Common with bruxism and TMJ dysfunction.

Forearm and hand referral

Forearm flexor and extensor trigger points refer into the wrist and hand — often confused with carpal tunnel.

Low back and groin

QL, iliopsoas and adductor trigger points refer into the lower back, groin and anterior hip. Common with desk-bound jobs and lots of sitting.

How a session runs

Three parts to a trigger point therapy appointment.

A short intake.

First five minutes: what’s bothering you, what you want from the session, anything medical we need to know. We ask about pressure preference up front so you don’t have to flag it mid-session.

Hands-on work.

Sessions run 30 or 60 minutes depending on how many areas need work. We palpate to find the active trigger points, then release each one with sustained pressure or a needle if appropriate. Expect some intense moments, followed by relief.

What to do after.

Water, no heavy training for the rest of the day. We’ll tell you if there’s anything specific to do or avoid in the next 24 hours — some styles leave you needing rest, others leave you ready to move.

Common questions

trigger point therapy questions we get asked.

01 Do I need a referral?

No referral needed for trigger point therapy. If you have DVA cover or an accepted WorkCover claim that includes remedial massage, bring the paperwork — we can bill those schemes directly when the documentation supports it.

02 Can I claim it on private health?

Yes, on most extras policies that include remedial massage. We HICAPS your fund at the front desk and you only pay the gap. Relaxation-only massage isn’t always covered — ring your fund if you’re unsure.

03 How much pressure should I expect?

Trigger point work is the most focally intense technique we use. Pressure on a live trigger point hurts in a recognisable way — often described as “a good hurt”. We always check it’s within tolerance and never push past it.

04 How long is the session?

30 minutes if we’re working one or two specific areas. 60 minutes for full-body trigger-point work or when there are multiple referral patterns to work through.

05 Will I be sore afterwards?

Mild bruising and a deep aching feeling at the treated spots for 24-48 hours is normal. Heat and gentle movement help. Sharp pain or significant bruising beyond that, let us know — we’ll dial pressure next time.

06 How often should I come?

Weekly for two to four weeks for an active issue, then fortnightly until it stabilises. Maintenance is usually monthly. Recurring trigger points almost always have a postural or load driver — we’ll talk through that side too.

HICAPS on the spot with every major fund · DVA, WorkCover & NDIS accepted where applicable.