What does a trigger point feel like?

That Weird Deep Knot? Yeah, We’re Talking About That.

You know that spot in your shoulder, back, or glute that:

• Feels tight no matter how much you stretch it
• Zings when pressed
• Sends pain somewhere else entirely
• Comes back again (and again) even after massage?

👆 That’s likely a trigger point.

So, What Is a Trigger Point?

A trigger point is a hypersensitive, tight area in your muscle tissue — basically, a cranky knot that’s stuck in a mini spasm. It messes with your movement, creates referred pain, and often tricks you into thinking the problem is somewhere else.

👉 Trigger points can develop from:

• Repetitive strain
• Poor posture
• Overtraining
• Stress/tension holding
• Injury or compensation patterns

What Does It Feel Like?

• Localized tenderness — when you press it, it feels deep, sharp, or sore (not just general tension)
• Referred pain — it hurts in one spot but sends pain somewhere else
• Muscle tightness or restriction — feels like you can’t get full range or relax fully
• A twitch response — sometimes the muscle will literally jump when the point is released
• Dull, nagging ache — can feel like it’s “deep in the muscle,” hard to stretch or fix

Common Examples:

• Neck/shoulder trigger point → headache or pain behind the eye
• Glute trigger point → shooting pain down the leg (can mimic sciatica)
• Upper trap trigger → pain into the jaw or down the arm
• Low back trigger → pain wrapping into the hip or groin

These aren’t random — your body has patterns, and trigger points follow them.

Can You Get Rid of Trigger Points?

Yes — with the right treatment plan. At YFS, that usually means a combo of:

• Manual therapy or massage
• Trigger point release techniques
• Dry needling (if appropriate)
• Targeted movement + strength work
• Breathwork + nervous system downtraining (because tension isn’t always just physical)

It’s not just about poking the sore spot. It’s about restoring healthy, responsive muscle function.

Final Word: Don’t Ignore the “Weird” Pain

If you keep saying things like:

• “I have this knot I just can’t get rid of.”
• “It feels deep, but stretching doesn’t help.”
• “I press it and it shoots pain somewhere else.”

You’re not crazy — you’re describing a trigger point. And we know how to deal with it.

Ready to stop chasing knots and start solving the real issue?
Book a session at YFS Toronto — and let’s get those cranky muscles back on your team.