trigger point
Painful muscle spot
A trigger point is a sensitive spot in muscle tissue that, when pressed, causes pain—often radiating to other areas of the body.
Massage therapists and physical therapists locate and work on trigger points to relieve chronic pain and tension.
The term sometimes extends metaphorically to anything that sets off a reaction: His dismissive tone hit a trigger point.
Soft tissue manipulation
- acupressureTherapeutic point-pressing technique
- dry needlingTherapeutic muscle puncturing technique
- acupunctureTherapeutic needle insertion
- physiotherapyTreatment restoring bodily function
chiropractic · stretching · injection · manipulation · bodywork · shiatsu · deep tissue · manual therapy
Tied rope fastening
- muscle fibersContractile cells in tissue
- fasciaConnective tissue sheet
- referred painDiscomfort perceived away from source
- adhesionState of clinging fast
palpation · release · tenderness · constriction · nodule · localized · spasm · stiffness
Persistent dull discomfort
- sorenessTender, painful sensation
- throbbingRhythmic painful pulsing
- radiatingSending out from center
- referredDirected elsewhere for help
sharp · chronic · acute · discomfort · sensitivity · burning · shooting · gnawing
To let go
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- deactivationRendering inoperative
- reliefEasing of distress
- restorationReturning something to condition
relaxation · self-care · stretching · hydration · rest · warmth · mobility · prevention
Inflexibility in soft tissue
- stiffnessResistance to deformation
- contractionReduction in size
- strainExcessive stretching force
- posturalRelating to body stance
overuse · repetitive motion · ergonomics · stress-related · neck · shoulder · upper back · jaw
massage
Soft tissue manipulation
- acupressureTherapeutic point-pressing technique
- dry needlingTherapeutic muscle puncturing technique
- acupunctureTherapeutic needle insertion
physiotherapy · chiropractic · stretching · injection · manipulation · bodywork · shiatsu · deep tissue · manual therapy · foam rolling
knot
Tied rope fastening
- muscle fibersContractile cells in tissue
- fasciaConnective tissue sheet
- referred painDiscomfort perceived away from source
adhesion · palpation · release · tenderness · constriction · nodule · localized · spasm · stiffness · elasticity
ache
Persistent dull discomfort
referred · sharp · chronic · acute · discomfort · sensitivity · burning · shooting · gnawing · tenderness
release
To let go
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- deactivationRendering inoperative
- reliefEasing of distress
restoration · relaxation · self-care · stretching · hydration · rest · warmth · mobility · prevention · maintenance
muscle tightness
Inflexibility in soft tissue
- stiffnessResistance to deformation
- contractionReduction in size
- strainExcessive stretching force
postural · overuse · repetitive motion · ergonomics · stress-related · neck · shoulder · upper back · jaw · clenching
- thresholdslimit, threshold, brink, edge, boundary
- body painache, aches, pain, pang, throb
- muscle painache, aches, soreness, cramps, spasms
- bodyworkmassage, massage therapy, manual therapy, bodywork, deep tissue
- acupunctureacupoints, needling, acupuncture needles, acupuncture points, electroacupuncture
- massagedeep tissue, Swedish, hot stone massage, Thai massage, aromatherapy massage
trigger, point, triggers, triggered, triage, triggering, hair-trigger, untriggered, retrigger