A Quick Recap
In the previous blog, we introduced the concept of trigger points — those “Ahh, right there!” spots that can radiate pain to distant areas. Today, we’ll explore the relationship between trigger points and fascia, which is at the heart of our treatment approach!
Are Trigger Points Just Muscle Knots?
Fascia-chan says: “Ayato-sensei, trigger points are just muscle knots, right?”
That’s half right and half wrong. Trigger points refer to an abnormal reaction — a spot where your body’s pain sensors (nociceptors) have become hypersensitive. People often assume “muscle knot = trigger point,” but a muscle knot (myofascial taut band) is just one visible expression of that reaction.
So What Is Fascia?
Fascia is an anatomical term for the network that wraps around and connects your muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and even internal organs — linking your entire body together.
Research has shown that trigger points tend to form in fascia, where large numbers of pain-detecting sensors (nociceptors) are concentrated.
Fascia-chan says: “I see! So ‘trigger point’ is the name for the reaction, and ‘fascia’ is the body’s connective network itself. That’s why you have to think about both together!”
Exactly! And trigger points aren’t limited to muscle fascia — they can also appear in tendons, ligaments, fat tissue, and other types of fascia.
What I Learned from Anatomy Research
I spent about three years involved in anatomical research, and during that time I never once saw a visible, distinct “lump” of stiffness with the naked eye. This experience supports the idea that trigger points are less about physical knots and more about the body’s sensors becoming hypersensitive.
That said, in areas where fascia has become thick and rigid — what we call fascial densification — you can sometimes feel a physical change when pressing the area. So it’s not entirely one or the other.
Why “Just Pressing the Sore Spot” Doesn’t Always Work
When your shoulders or lower back hurt, it’s natural to think, “This spot must be the problem.” But in reality, the connections throughout your entire body are often involved.
Understanding the relationship between fascia and trigger points helps explain why simply massaging the painful area doesn’t always lead to improvement.
In the next installment, we’ll look at how to apply this knowledge to treatment and self-care!
Before You Visit…
Fair warning: our English is a work in progress! (Ha!)
But thanks to the magic of translation apps, we communicate just fine with patients from around the world.
Your body speaks a universal language — and that’s the one we’re fluent in.
