Have you ever felt a tight, tender spot in your shoulder or back that just won’t go away? That could be a trigger point—a sensitive area in a muscle that can cause deep, aching pain right where it’s located or even in a completely different part of your body. These so-called “muscle knots” often develop from stress, poor posture, overuse, or misalignments in the spine. 

In chiropractic care, trigger points can be located through feel and touch and often a sign of underlying issues, like spinal joints that aren’t moving properly. When a vertebra is slightly out of alignment (a condition called subluxation), the surrounding muscles can become overworked or imbalanced, leading to trigger point formation.

Chiropractors use a combination of techniques to address this, including:

• Gentle spinal adjustments to restore proper alignment and take pressure off irritated nerves and muscles
• Trigger point therapy such as direct pressure or massage to release the knots
• Stretching and strengthening exercises to help your muscles function properly and reduce stress on the spine
• Postural advice to help prevent future muscle tension 

One thing you’ll often notice in a chiropractic office is the presence of anatomy posters. Guided by the Chiropractor, these wall posters help patients see exactly what’s happening inside their bodies—where the muscles are, how the spine connects to the nervous system, and how trigger points can affect pain patterns. It’s easier to understand your symptoms when you can visualise the root cause, and it helps you feel more informed and involved in your care.