Trigger point therapy applies focused, sustained pressure to the tight bands of muscle known as “knots” that can refer pain to other parts of the body. These trigger points are small, hyper-irritable spots within a muscle, and they have a habit of causing pain not just where they sit, but in surprising places — a knot in the shoulder can trigger a headache, and one in the hip can send discomfort down the leg. Releasing these points helps reduce pain and restore normal, comfortable movement.

This service is popular with people who experience recurring tension in the same spots, or referred pain such as headaches originating from the neck and shoulders. If you have ever pressed on a sore spot and felt it “light up” or send sensation elsewhere, you have found a trigger point.

How trigger point therapy works

When a muscle is overloaded, injured or held in tension for too long, fibres within it can tighten into a taut band that will not release on its own. This restricts blood flow to the area, which keeps the knot irritated and painful in a self-sustaining cycle. Trigger point therapy interrupts that cycle: your therapist locates the exact point, applies steady, controlled pressure until the tissue begins to release, and then works to restore normal length and blood flow to the muscle. As circulation returns, the pain and referral usually ease.

What this service helps with

• Muscle knots and referred pain
• Tension headaches originating in the neck and shoulders
• Limited range of movement
• Persistent tight spots that keep returning
• Localised pain that has not responded to stretching alone

What to expect during your session

Your therapist begins by locating the trigger points responsible for your symptoms — often these are not exactly where you feel the pain, which is why a skilled assessment matters. Sustained pressure is then applied to each point. You may feel a satisfying “good pain” as the knot releases, and it is common to feel the referred sensation ease as the point lets go. Sessions finish with gentle stretching to help the muscle stay released. Some tenderness afterward is normal and settles within a day or two.

Who benefits from trigger point therapy

This service suits people with recurring tension headaches, desk workers with stubborn neck and shoulder knots, athletes with tight, overloaded muscles, and anyone whose pain seems to come back to the same few spots no matter what they try. It also complements chiropractic adjustments and remedial massage as part of a broader plan.

Our approach at Everwell Chiropractic

At our Western Sydney practice, we look beyond the knot to why it keeps forming. Trigger points are often a symptom of an underlying pattern — posture, a movement habit, or a muscle working overtime to compensate for a weaker one. By addressing that root cause alongside releasing the point itself, we help you get lasting relief rather than a temporary fix. We will also show you self-release techniques to use at home.

Is it safe?

Trigger point therapy is safe and well tolerated for most people. Let your therapist know if you bruise easily, are pregnant, or take medication affecting bleeding, so pressure can be adapted. As with all our services, it complements rather than replaces medical care — if your pain has an unclear cause or does not respond as expected, we will encourage you to see your GP for further assessment.

Frequently asked questions

Why do I feel pain somewhere other than where you’re pressing? That is referred pain, and it is a classic sign of a trigger point. Following the referral helps us treat the true source.

Does it hurt? There is often a “good pain” during release, kept well within your tolerance. It should feel productive, not unbearable.

Why do my knots keep coming back? Usually because of an underlying habit or imbalance. We treat that cause too, so relief lasts longer.

Duration: 30 minutes  |  Fee: $85  |  Practitioner: Aisha Rahman

Release the tension for good. Book trigger point therapy with Everwell today.