What are myofascial trigger points?

Myofascial trigger points are tight knots in your muscles that can cause pain and stiffness.

Imagine your muscle is like a sponge you squeeze every day, when it gets too squeezed, it forms a lumpy knot inside, like a wrinkle in a fabric. This knot is a myofascial trigger point. When you press on it, it feels sore, and sometimes the pain can even spread to other parts of your body, like when you touch one part of your arm and feel a twinge in your shoulder.

When these knots are active, they might feel like a hard bump under your skin. Pressing on them can make them hurt more, almost like when you sit on a hard chair for too long, the pain is real and it lingers.

They happen when your muscles get too tight or stressed, maybe from sitting all day, playing a game, or even holding onto something heavy. Over time, these knots can stick around and make it harder to move freely.

If you have them, you might feel like your body is saying, “Hey, I need a break!”