Trigger point therapy comprises manual techniques for treating myofascial trigger points – locally pressure-sensitive hardenings within tense muscle fibre bundles. Characteristic is the reproduction of a local and often radiating pain pattern under pressure.
Typical techniques are ischaemic compression with increasing pressure, the strain-counterstrain method, and complementary stretching and movement exercises. Invasive procedures such as dry needling are also used. Trigger point therapy is usually planned in the context of a comprehensive assessment of posture, movement patterns and loading.