Do you wake up with a stiff neck, or feel deep knots in your back or legs after exercise? Many people mistake these pains for simple soreness, but often, they are the result of trigger points—tiny but powerful muscle knots that can create discomfort throughout the body.
At Universal Healing Studio, we specialize in Trigger Point Therapy, a highly effective massage technique designed to release these knots, restore mobility, and support overall wellness. This holistic approach doesn’t just treat the surface of the pain—it addresses its root cause.
What Exactly Is a Trigger Point?
A trigger point is a small, hyperirritable area within a muscle that feels tight and tender to the touch. These knots can limit flexibility, cause stiffness, and even send pain to other parts of the body (a phenomenon called referred pain).
Trigger points are often linked to:
Poor posture (e.g., sitting at a desk all day)
Muscle overuse (from sports, workouts, or repetitive movements)
Stress and tension that causes unconscious muscle tightening
Past injuries that haven’t fully healed
Over time, untreated trigger points can restrict blood flow, starve the muscle of oxygen, and cause waste buildup, which makes pain and tightness worse.
Types of Trigger Points
Trigger points are not all the same. Knowing the differences helps explain why pain can sometimes be hard to pinpoint.
Active Trigger Points
Painful even when resting. These are often responsible for sharp, nagging pain and stiffness you feel daily.Latent Trigger Points
These knots only hurt when pressure is applied, but they can limit mobility and develop into active trigger points if ignored.Satellite Trigger Points
Pain felt in an area away from the original knot. For example, a trigger point in your upper back may send pain down to your elbow or hand.
How To Recognize Trigger Points
Not sure whether your discomfort is caused by trigger points? Look for these common signs:
✅ Localized muscle pain or tenderness
✅ Increased pain when pressure is applied
✅ A “band-like” feeling of tightness or knots under the skin
✅ Muscle fatigue or weakness in specific areas
✅ Reduced range of motion or stiffness in joints
✅ Pain that flares after exercise, work, or stress
Trigger points are also linked to conditions such as tension headaches, migraines, TMJ/jaw pain, lower back pain, shoulder stiffness, sciatica, and even sleep disturbances.
Why Do Trigger Points Form?
Trigger points develop when muscle fibers are stressed, injured, or unable to fully relax. This can result from:
Repetitive movements (typing, lifting, or sports training)
Stress and anxiety, which cause muscle tension
Poor ergonomics, like sitting with rounded shoulders
Dehydration or poor circulation
Direct injury or trauma to the muscle
When a trigger point forms, it restricts blood flow and oxygen to the muscle fibers. This creates a cycle of pain, stiffness, and reduced function unless treated properly.
How Trigger Point Therapy Works
At Universal Healing Studio, our trained massage therapists use specialized techniques to treat trigger points and encourage muscle release. These may include:
Direct compression – Applying controlled pressure to the knot to release tension
Myofascial release – Stretching and mobilizing the fascia (the connective tissue around muscles) to restore mobility
Deep tissue massage – Working on deeper layers of muscle to flush out toxins and improve circulation
Stretching and mobilization – Helping lengthen tight muscles and improve flexibility
Massage therapy restores blood flow and oxygen to the affected area while flushing out waste products, which allows the muscle fibers to finally relax.
Benefits of Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger Point Therapy offers both immediate and long-term benefits for the body and mind. Here’s what you can expect:
Pain relief – Alleviates chronic or acute muscular pain
Improved circulation – Enhances oxygen and nutrient flow to tissues
Reduced stress and tension – Encourages deep relaxation
Increased flexibility – Loosens stiff muscles and joints
Enhanced mobility – Supports better movement and posture
Better sleep – Releases the physical tension that keeps your body restless at night
Boosted energy – Reduces fatigue caused by muscular knots and poor circulation
For athletes, it can also improve performance and prevent injuries. For office workers, it helps counteract poor posture and repetitive strain. For those with chronic pain, it offers a natural, non-invasive management tool.
Book Your Trigger Point Therapy in Calgary
Trigger points may be small, but they can have a big impact on your daily life. Left untreated, they often get worse and create more widespread discomfort.
At Universal Healing Studio, our experienced massage therapists will carefully assess your condition and design a customized treatment plan just for you. Whether you’re:
An athlete aiming for peak performance
An office worker managing tension from long hours at a desk
Or someone living with chronic pain
—we’re here to help you feel better, move better, and live better.
👉 Book your Trigger Point Therapy massage in Calgary today and take the next step on your journey to wellness.