What happens when trigger points are released?

Author: Prof. Zachary Ankunding IV  |  Last update: Monday, July 7, 2025

Reduced Stress and Tension Muscle tension may also contribute to stress and tension. Trigger point therapy may help alleviate tension and stress by releasing knots in the muscles. This can result in an overall sense of relaxation.

What happens when a muscle knot releases?

When a muscle is tight like that, it can limit blood flow in that area. The theory is when you put pressure on it you're limiting blood flow to the knot, and when you release the pressure, more blood flows in,” he explains. The increased blood flow can help the muscle relax.

What are the physiological effects of trigger point release?

The pressure of trigger point therapy 'reprograms' the neuromuscular system so that pain decreases. This encourages the muscles to return to their normal state. This promotes healing as the inflammation decreases and the individual experiences reduced pain and tightness.

What to expect after myofascial release?

Following Myofascial release, you may experience some of the following symptoms: Sore Muscles: Aches and pains are common for around 24 hours after your treatment as the body flushes out the toxins that release. Some people feel a similar sensation in their muscles as the one felt after a heavy workout at the gym.

How long does trigger point release last?

On average, pain relief from a trigger point injection lasts around 30 days. The severity of the injury or condition can affect how long the medication lasts. How often you get the injection can also affect how long you go without pain. Your physician will help you work out an effective treatment plan.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Trigger Points Treatments, Animation.

How do you feel after trigger point release?

After the session, you may feel some soreness in the treated areas. This is also normal and should dissipate within a day or two. If you have any concerns, be sure to follow up with your therapist. Trigger point therapy can be an effective way to relieve pain and tension in the body.

What happens in the last trigger point?

Lana is initially arrested but then it becomes clear what a genius and all-round bloomin' legend she is. Hooray for Lana! The remaining members of The Wave are rounded up and nicked. The series concludes at Danny's wedding, where Lana is clearly not okay but still manages to enjoy herself with her parents.

What does it feel like when fascia releases?

When fascia releases, it can feel like taffy softening. Sometimes people may feel cold or heat, tingling or buzzing, burning, or a sense of water or air moving through the area. They may also notice a sensation in an area other than that being treated.

What are the disadvantages of trigger point massage?

The disadvantages of using these pressure release techniques are:
  • These techniques are painful for the client, and require the therapist to modulate their pressure to the pain tolerance of the client .
  • Their application can be fatiguing for the therapist if proper biomechanics are not employed.

Which body part should be avoided during myofascial release techniques?

Among the various body regions, one area stands out as particularly delicate and susceptible to injury during myofascial release—the cervical spine region. The cervical spine, comprising the seven vertebrae in the neck, plays a critical role in supporting the head, facilitating movement, and protecting the spinal cord.

Why does trigger point release feel so good?

Trigger point therapy can have a calming effect on the nervous system. This is because it can help release the tight muscles that may be causing tension and stress.

What chemicals are in muscle knots?

Let's check out muscle trigger points in detail since that's what we deal with more often during massage. They form as a result of excessive accumulation of two chemicals – acetylcholine and calcium.

Why is myofascial release so painful?

It can just feel that way. Fascial tissue that is thickened, glued, restricted, and tight has many points of attachment in the body. Softening and easing tension in one area often leads to a sensation of tightness or pain in another.

What does it feel like when a tight muscle releases?

The first sensation you'll get is a springing give that feels like a release. This is the tissue's elastic component giving way, which means you stop there, you won't see a long-term difference right away because it takes time to get deeper into the more plastic part of the tissue.

Do knots pop when massaged?

Trigger points, or muscle knots, are hyperirritable spots within a taut band of skeletal muscle. The pressure applied during therapy can cause these points to release, sometimes resulting in a popping sound.

What is a healing crisis after myofascial release?

The Healing Crisis

Your fascial tissue may continue to unravel or release for hours or even days after you leave the treatment room. This is normal, and it's recommended you tune into this and take note of what you are feeling physically and emotionally.

Does pressing on a trigger point release it?

Myofascial release therapy is a type of gentle, constant massage that releases tightness and pain throughout your myofascial tissues. First, your healthcare provider will locate trigger points, or knots, in your fascial tissues. Then, they'll gently apply pressure until they feel the tension release.

What is the most common trigger point?

Trigger points can develop in any muscle, but the most common muscle groups that are treated with trigger point injections include:
  • Masseter (a muscle in your jaw).
  • Levator scapulae (a muscle on the sides of your neck).
  • Gluteus medius (a muscle in your hip).
  • Quadratus lumborum (a deep muscle in your low back).

Can emotions get trapped in fascia?

Scientific evidence shows that fascia is not only responsible for helping our muscles move and many other physical functions, but also responds to emotions and environment. So, the next time you're feeling stressed or emotional, remember that it's not all in your head – it could be in your fascia too.

Can releasing muscle knots make you sick?

As we have already determined, massage does not release, remove, or flush toxins from the body, therefore it cannot make clients sick. However, deep tissue and sports massage is known to sometimes cause flu-like symptoms. This is called Post Massage Soreness & Malaise (PMSM), and symptoms tend to include: Pain.

Why do trigger points cause so much pain?

It is very common for many people to experience pain that comes in the forms of “muscle knots.” These painful knots are known as trigger points. These trigger points are tight and contracted muscles, almost like hard nodules. They may feel swollen, tense, and/or tender site and block off blood supply.

How true to life is Trigger Point?

In real life, bomb disposal work is "very boring, lots of hanging about", she says. "There's a small crack and a puff of smoke and nothing happens. They've made it very dramatic in Trigger Point - every explosion is always a fireball." But rather than being annoyed at the exaggerations, Lucy enjoys "the drama of it".

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