Styles of Massage & Bodywork
Nov 24, 2025Descriptions of the Many Styles & Methods of Massage & Bodywork
Medical Disclaimer
Medical Massage, Sports Massage, and Neuromuscular Therapists do not diagnose illness, disease or any other physical or mental disorder; nor do they prescribe medicine or medical procedures of any kind. You should consult with your primary care physician before acting on any information published on this website or the associated pages and blogs. Medical massage is not a substitute for medical examination, diagnosis or treatment. It is recommended that you consult a physician for these services.
Trigger Point & Neuromuscular Therapy: What Are Trigger Point and Neuromuscular Therapy?
Generally speaking, trigger points usually referred to as “knots” in muscles.
More specifically, trigger point therapy addresses specific muscle fibers within the specific muscles that trigger pain in distant areas of the body. For instance, a trigger point in a specific muscle of the hip can mimic a “sciatica” pain referral, which causes the pain to travel down the leg away from the original site of injury or dysfunction.
A trigger point in a shoulder muscle can fire a painful response to the neck and head causing a chronic neck problem, headache and pain upon range of motion.
It is important for massage therapists to have an extensive knowledge of trigger points and pain patterns so they are actually treating the source of the pain, not just chasing the symptoms.