By manually applying gentle sustained pressure to restricted areas the therapist can relieve tension and reduce adhesions within the tender tissue. This results in improved motion and pain relief for the patient.
Trigger points, sometimes called knots, are tight and painful areas within muscle and connective tissue. When pressed these point trigger a pain sensation in another part of the body.
This is called referred pain. For example, by pressing common trigger points in the upper back and shoulders, pain is felt on the back or side of the head. Trigger points in the low back often refer pain to the glute muscles, and vice versa.