Trigger Points to Relieve Neck Pain

Neck pain may be a symptom of trigger point activation.

Trigger points are small knots in the muscles of the body that can cause pain in other parts of the body, including neck and jaw pain. Trigger point therapy is the practice of massaging these known points to relieve pain.

Pain Source

Neck pain is referred from trigger points in the shoulders and upper back, in muscles such as the trapezius, levator scapulae and infraspinatus.

Significance

Pain may be alleviated by properly diagnosing and treating trigger points. Self-treatment is possible when the correct points are massaged.

Treatment

Treatment consists of deep, stationary pressure, and/or massaging the point using circular motions. Pressure must be held to decrease sensitivity and deactivate the trigger (at least 30 seconds).

Misconceptions

Many assume points always refer pain (i.e., neck pain when a point in the trapezius is pressed). If a pressed point produces local pain it is also a trigger point.

Considerations

For self-care, it is important to obtain reliable resources of information, including illustrations, to help identify the correct trigger points. Alternatively, seek treatment from a trained therapist.

References

• The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook; Clair Davies, NCTMB; 2004
• Deep Tissue Modalities; Diana Lonsdale; 2003

Resources

• National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists
• American Pain Foundation