Trigger point therapy

Q: What can I do to prevent trigger points from developing?

Regular stretching exercises, ergonomic working, active breaks and a healthy lifestyle with exercise and sufficient sleep are key to preventing trigger points. Stress management, adequate hydration and correct lifting techniques are also important to prevent the development of trigger points in everyday life. You should warm up and stretch before and after intense physical activity. Massages or self-massage techniques can also help with this.</span

Trigger point therapy for the treatment of muscle tension and pain for improved health and well-being.

Typical areas of application:

Back painHeadachesHip painImpingement syndromeJaw complaintsKnee painNeck painPiriformis syndrome

Our stations for Trigger point therapy

Together with you, we select the most suitable methods from the various areas of physiotherapy. You can choose which physiotherapist you would like to be treated by at our locations in and around Zurich.

Physio Station Affoltern

Physio Station Albisrieden

Physio Station Dietikon

Physio Station Schlieren

What is trigger point therapy?

A trigger point is a tense area within a muscle that causes localised or radiating pain, but can also lead to a feeling of weakness in the muscle or tingling sensations. Trigger points can be caused by misuse, overuse, trauma or even stress and are often hard and painful to the touch. In a trigger point, sarcomeres, i.e. the smallest units of the muscle, remain in a tensed position, which is why there is reduced blood flow and a local lack of oxygen(known as hypoxia) in this area. Due to the lack blood flowlack of oxygen, the tense sarcomeres can no longer release on their own, which in turn leads to even more tension and even poorer blood flow– a vicious circle is created that urgently needs to be broken. Trigger point therapy (also known as myofascial trigger point therapy or fascia trigger point therapy) therefore aims to relax the tense areas and improve blood circulation in order to relieve pain in the long term and restore physiological muscle function.

Who trigger point therapy is and isn’t suitable for?

Myofascial trigger point therapy can help with a variety of conditions, including back, neck, head and joint pain, dizziness and even numbness. It is particularly useful for those who spend a lot of time at the computeror perform physically demanding activitiesas these activities often lead to muscle tension and tightness. However, trigger point treatment is not suitable for everyone. People with skin conditionssuch as eczema,infectionsin the treatment area or a blood clotting disorderfor example, trigger point therapy is not recommended.

How does manual trigger point therapy work?

With manual trigger point therapy, our physiotherapists in Zurich use special techniques to localise and treat the tense areas in your muscles. Commonly used are manual techniques, such as pressure and massage in the affected area. The use of special toolssuch as acupuncture needles as part of our dry needling treatment can further enhance the effect of trigger point therapy. The aim is to improve blood circulation in the affected areas and restore normal muscle function.

These are the benefits of trigger point treatment

Trigger point therapy offers a number of advantages for our patients. The main benefits are as follows:

Pain relief: Trigger point treatment can be effective in relieving pain, especially if it has a muscular origin.
Improved mobility: Targeted treatment of trigger points can reduce movement restrictions, improving your mobility in the long term.
Increasing muscle strength: Trigger point therapy can help to increase your muscle strength by relaxing your muscles and restoring their normal function.
Stress relief: Trigger point therapy can help relieve stress by reducing muscle tension and promoting your overall relaxation.
Effective muscle relaxation: Currently, conventional medicine knows of no more effective form of muscle relaxation than trigger point therapy. It is particularly effective in combination with other forms of therapy, as this ensures comprehensive and holistic treatment.
Reduce sensitivity disorders:People who suffer from tingling or numbness due to tense muscles can benefit from trigger point therapy, as it is suitable for reducing or in some cases even completely eliminating such sensitivity disorders.

Questions and answers

Do you have any questions? Here are some of the most common ones:

Are there any side effects of trigger point therapy?

As a rule, no serious side effects are to be expected from trigger point therapy. After treatment, muscle fatigue, temporary muscle soreness or tenderness may occur in the treated muscles, which usually subsides within a few days. If you experience prolonged or unusual reactions, you should inform your therapist.

Is trigger point therapy painful?

Trigger point therapy can be uncomfortable at first, as your therapist will apply pressure to the tense areas. After the treatment, however, you should notice a noticeable improvement in your symptoms, be it through pain relief, increased mobility or muscle relaxation. Occasional reactions such as temporary tiredness are normal and signal that your body is responding positively to the treatment.

Is trigger point therapy also possible in self-treatment?

There are certain techniques and exercises that you can also perform at home to support and prolong the effects of trigger point therapy. Our therapists will give you the necessary advice.</span

What can I do to prevent trigger points from developing?

Regular stretching exercises, ergonomic working, active breaks and a healthy lifestyle with exercise and sufficient sleep are key to preventing trigger points. Stress management, adequate hydration and correct lifting techniques are also important to prevent the development of trigger points in everyday life. You should warm up and stretch before and after intense physical activity. Massages or self-massage techniques can also help with this.</span

Self-directed training

Prevent chronic complaints by exercising regularly.

With a training subscription at the Physio Station, you not only relieve acute pain, but also prevent recurring symptoms in the long term. At the same time, you improve your mobility and strengthen your muscles. In this way, you can improve your quality of life in the long term and lead an active, pain-free life.