Definition: An area of bunched, knotted muscle which when pressed causes the ache, pain or symptom about which the person is complaining.

Cause: Accumulated injuries to the body (sometimes years ago), postural strains/bad posture, overwork/tiredness, wear and tear, mental stress, arthritis, disc disease, past surgery. (More than one is possible).

Treatment/Prevention: Specialised trigger point therapy (soft tissue) massage, stretching of tight muscles, mobilisation/adjustment of stiff joints, heat, flexibility and strength exercise program, postural awareness, relaxation and nutritional methods.

BACK ACHES & PAINS: TPs are one of the most common causes of bodily aches/pains.

ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM: TPs are responsible for much of the pain and stiffness - correct treatment can relieve this.

ACHY & RESTLESS LEGS: TPs in hip/buttock and low back often cause this.

COLDNESS OF LEGS or ARMS: often caused by neck/back TPs.

CONCENTRATION: Neck TPs impair circulation and short term memory due to decrease in brain blood flow.

BURNING feelings in neck and shoulders often contributed to by neck TPs.

BUTTOCK PAIN: caused by low back and hip TPs.

CRAMPS often caused by back/buttock/calf TPs.

HEADACHES & MIGRAINE often caused by neck TPs.

NECK PAIN: TPs are one of the most common causes.

PERIOD PAINS in the back and abdomen are often made worse by back TPs.

SLEEP: being TP free often helps you sleep better.

TINGLES & NUMBNESS: neck and back TPs can cause this in arms/hands/legs/feet.

TINNITUS: often contributed to by neck and jaw TPs.

TIRED FEET: contributed to by back/buttock and leg TPs.

TIREDNESS: often relieved by treatment of neck/back TPs.

VISUAL DISTURBANCES: often relieved by treatment of neck TPs.

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