Liz is a medical writer and illustrator with an MSc in Medical Art and a BA in Medical Illustration focusing on pre-medical sciences. She has worked with healthcare professionals and educators globally creating anatomically accurate learning materials.
Trigger Points
Trigger points are regions of pain felt in local, or often separate, areas from the palpable site. You may recognise a trigger point as a tight “knot” beneath your skin. They develop in taut bands of muscles, ligaments or fascia. Trigger points typically occur from repetitive activities, injury, or psychological stress. They are also often accompanied by chronic musculoskeletal disorders.
Anatomy Charts to Support Learning
To deepen your knowledge of trigger point anatomy and myofascial pain, our extensive range of anatomical posters and trigger point charts provide clear, labelled illustrations of muscle groups, pressure points and referred pain pathways. These visual aids are ideal for students, physiotherapists, massage therapists, and anyone working in physical rehabilitation.
Our charts are colour-coded and easy to follow, making them perfect for revision or display in clinics, classrooms, or home study spaces.
What Causes Trigger Points?
Several factors can cause trigger points including repetitive or strenuous activities, sleeping habits, poor health and injury. Lack of sleep, generalised fatigue, or sleep position can cause trigger points. An example of this would be if you were to wake up with a sore neck from sleeping in an awkward position. Poor health including joint problems, obesity, nutritional deficiencies and poor mental health, such as chronic stress, anxiety, depression, can also cause trigger points. Sedentary behaviour such as sitting at a computer for several hours per day, general lack of activity, and obesity are large contributors. Active people are also susceptible to trigger points through muscle overuse with activities like weightlifting. Finally, a common cause of trigger points includes trauma from injuries.
Anatomical Models for Practical Learning
We offer a wide selection of muscle models and life-size anatomical figures that demonstrate the intricate structure of the muscular system and common trigger point areas. From half-body muscle models to in-depth models of the shoulder girdle and back, these educational tools are crafted to help visualise how trigger points develop and why certain movements or habits cause discomfort.
Many of our models highlight key muscles such as the trapezius, deltoid, and gluteals - areas where trigger points often occur - making them a highly effective way to understand how and where pain originates in the body. Whether you're looking to revise for exams or explain conditions to patients, our models support learning at every level.
Recognising Trigger Point Symptoms
There are number of signs and symptoms associated with trigger points. They may cause tension headaches, tinnitus (a ringing in the ear or ears), joint pain and low back pain. A common manifestation of a trigger point is a hypersensitive “knot” (a hard node of muscle fibres). Pressing on these nodes either causes pain on the site or causes referred pain, weakness or muscle spasms.
Active trigger points can cause pain when at rest and cause referred pain when palpated. For example, if you were to press on an active trigger point on the dorsal hand, pain will radiate up to the posterior elbow.
Latent (inactive) trigger points are a very tender area of local pain. They may cause muscle weakness or decreased range of motion. An example of this would be if you press on the shoulder (deltoid) and feel significant pain directly on the palpated site.
How Are Trigger Points Treated?
Trigger points can be treated with the application of heat and ice, stretch and spray technique, massage, acupuncture and injections.
The application of ice is beneficial for reducing inflammation, particularly if a trigger point flares up directly after an aggravating activity. Applying heat is best for low-grade, achy, persistent pain caused by trigger symptoms as it helps loosen tight muscles. Stretch and spray involves applying a cold spray (a topical analgesic) to the troubled area after gently stretching the affected muscle.
Acupuncture involves finding the most painful node of muscle and applying a needle to cause muscle contraction which can potentially release the node. Massage works in a similar fashion, where a therapist will press on the painful node to try to relieve the tension in the muscle.
Trigger point injections can provide quick relief. The corticosteroid injection is given directly in the trigger point site and can provide relief for days to months, depending on the severity of the trigger point.
Instantly Available Digital Downloads
Visual Aids to better Understand Anatomy
Understanding human anatomy and trigger points can be far more effective with high quality visual tools. Our range of anatomical models, posters and revision guides allow students and professionals to deepen their understanding through visual and tactile learning. Whether you're preparing for an exam, teaching a class, or working in a clinical setting, our resources provide a practical and engaging way to study human anatomy.
