Unlocking tension with trigger point therapy

I first trained in Trigger Point Therapy in 2018 at the Jing Advanced Massage School in Brighton. Since then, it’s become one of my go-to tools for helping people shift long-held tension and find real, lasting relief.

If you have ever had a knot in your shoulder that just won’t budge, or a dull ache that seems to radiate elsewhere in the body, you may have experienced a trigger point. This focused, clinical style of bodywork is incredibly effective for both acute pain and those stubborn, mysterious aches that don’t seem to respond to regular massage.

What are trigger points?

Trigger points are tight bands or contracted areas within muscle fibres. They are often referred to as 'knots', although what’s really happening is a localised area of restricted circulation and nerve irritation. They can cause local pain - right at the site of the knot - or referred pain, where the discomfort appears elsewhere in the body. They can also lead to reduced movement, stiffness, or compensatory tension in nearby areas. Trigger points may form from an injury, repetitive strain, poor posture, or even emotional holding.

How trigger point therapy works

Trigger Point Therapy uses slow, sustained pressure applied directly into the trigger point until the muscle begins to soften and release. This might be done using thumbs, knuckles, forearms, or tools depending on the area and depth. I may also incorporate breathwork or subtle movement to support the release process. It’s not necessarily painful, but it can bring more awareness of where your body has been quietly holding on too much. The goal is to reduce pain, improve mobility, restore healthy circulation, and re-pattern how your body is holding itself.

An integrated approach

At Jing, I was trained to take a whole-body, structural view. That means I rarely focus only on the area that hurts. Instead, I consider how tension moves through fascial and muscular chains. For example, upper back tension might relate to postural patterns in the hips, and hip pain may originate in the legs or lower back. I often blend Trigger Point Therapy with other techniques like Swedish massage, myofascial release, gua sha/scraping, or grounding holds to integrate the work and make it easier for the nervous system to receive.

Who might benefit from this technique

Trigger Point Therapy is especially helpful for chronic muscular tension, migraines, jaw pain, reduced mobility, and tension caused by posture or stress. You don’t need to be in acute pain to benefit from it - sometimes one small release can change the way your whole body feels. Many clients come in for this kind of work when they feel 'stuck' - physically or emotionally - and want something more targeted than a general massage.

What to expect in a session

During a session, I will begin by checking in with how your body feels that day. You don’t need to know exactly what’s going on - we will explore it together. I might assess posture, tension patterns, and the areas that feel tight or tender. Then I will apply slow, focused pressure to the points that feel relevant, using feedback to guide the pace and depth. Everything is adapted to your comfort. You may feel some tenderness afterwards, similar to post-exercise soreness, but most people describe a sense of release, freedom, and calm afterwards.

A final thought

Trigger Point Therapy is about more than just getting rid of knots. It’s about listening to what your body has been holding, and giving it the time and attention it needs to let go. If you are curious or think this might be helpful for you, you are always welcome to get in touch or book a session. I offer trigger point therapy as part of my Release sessions.