Are Trigger Points Really the Problem? New Research Suggests They May Be Your Body's Protective Response
- Julian Simpson
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Written by Dr Julian Simpson — Chiropractor with 15+ years of experience, Board Member of the Chiropractic Australia Research Foundation, and author/reviewer of 800+ health articles.
Are Trigger Points Really the Problem? New Research Suggests They May Be Your Body's Protective Response
Understanding Myofascial Pain Syndrome and What It Means for Chronic Muscle Pain
If you've ever experienced a painful "knot" in your neck, shoulders, back, or hips, you've likely encountered what healthcare professionals call a trigger point.
These tender areas are commonly associated with Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS), one of the most common causes of chronic musculoskeletal pain worldwide. MPS is frequently linked to conditions such as neck pain, low back pain, shoulder pain, headaches, sciatica, and many other persistent pain conditions.
Traditionally, trigger points have been viewed as dysfunctional or damaged areas within muscle tissue that require treatment to release tension and reduce pain.
However, a recently published review is challenging this long-held belief and proposing an intriguing new perspective:
What if trigger points are not simply a problem, but part of the body's attempt to protect itself?
What Is Myofascial Pain Syndrome?
Myofascial Pain Syndrome is characterised by the presence of:
Trigger points (TrPs)
Tight bands of muscle known as taut bands (TBs)
Local muscle tenderness
Referred pain patterns
Reduced flexibility and movement
Researchers estimate that Myofascial Pain Syndrome may account for between 20% and 93% of chronic musculoskeletal pain presentations, making it one of the most common pain conditions encountered in healthcare settings.
Despite its prevalence, researchers still debate exactly why trigger points develop and what purpose they serve.
The Traditional Understanding of Trigger Points
For decades, trigger points have been considered a form of muscle dysfunction.
The most widely accepted theory suggests that excessive muscle activity creates:
Sustained muscle contraction
Reduced blood flow
Local oxygen deprivation
Increased pain-producing chemicals
A cycle of ongoing pain and dysfunction
While this theory explains how trigger points may develop, it does not fully explain an important question:
Why would the body create this response in the first place?
This new review attempts to answer that question.
A New Theory: Trigger Points as a Protective Mechanism
The researchers propose that trigger points may actually represent a protective response to what they call Mechanical Overload (MO).
Mechanical overload occurs when tissues are exposed to more stress than they can effectively tolerate.
Examples include:
Poor posture
Repetitive movements
Heavy lifting
Sports training
Long hours sitting at a desk
Physical deconditioning
Reduced movement variability
Under this model, trigger points may develop as the body's way of:
Limiting Harmful Movement
Pain is one of the body's most effective warning systems.
By creating sensitivity within specific muscles, trigger points may discourage movements that could potentially worsen tissue irritation or overload.
Increasing Joint Stability
The review suggests that taut muscle bands may help increase tension around vulnerable joints.
This added tension may provide temporary stability when the body perceives a threat to normal movement patterns.
Improving Body Awareness
Trigger points may also increase proprioception—the body's ability to sense position and movement.
This heightened awareness may help the nervous system better protect an area that is experiencing excessive stress.
Why "Muscle Knots" Often Keep Coming Back
One of the most common frustrations patients experience is that muscle knots often return after massage, stretching, or other forms of treatment.
According to the new model, this may occur because the underlying cause has not been addressed.
If the body created a trigger point to compensate for:
Poor posture
Weakness
Joint dysfunction
Movement restrictions
Repetitive strain
Physical deconditioning
Then simply releasing the trigger point may provide temporary relief while leaving the original problem unchanged.
The protective response may eventually return.The Role of Modern Lifestyle
The review highlights prolonged sitting and sedentary behaviour as major contributors to mechanical overload.
Long periods spent:
Working at a computer
Driving
Studying
Looking down at phones
Sitting without movement breaks
It can gradually reduce the body's ability to tolerate load.
Over time, this may lead to:
Reduced muscle endurance
Poor motor control
Decreased joint stability
Increased sensitivity to movement
Development of trigger points
Interestingly, researchers suggest that many cases of "non-specific" neck pain and low back pain may develop through this process.
Pain Is More Than Just Muscles
The review also emphasises the important role of the nervous system.
Once pain becomes persistent, changes can occur in how the brain and spinal cord process information.
This process is known as sensitisation.
When sensitisation develops:
Pain may become more intense
Symptoms may last longer
Normal movements may become uncomfortable
Recovery may take longer
Researchers suggest this is why successful treatment often requires more than simply addressing the muscle itself.
Key Statistics from the Research
The review highlighted several important findings:
📊 Myofascial Pain Syndrome may contribute to 20–93% of chronic musculoskeletal pain cases
📊 It is commonly associated with:
📊 Prolonged static postures, repetitive movements, and sedentary behaviour are among the most frequently identified contributors to mechanical overload.
📊 Psychological stress, poor sleep, and emotional strain may increase nervous system sensitivity and contribute to persistent trigger point activity.
What Does This Mean for Treatment?
The authors propose that treatment should focus on three key areas:
1. Reduce Mechanical Overload
This may involve:
Ergonomic improvements
Better workstation setup
Movement breaks
Activity modification
Load management
2. Address Trigger Points and Movement Dysfunction
Treatment approaches may include:
Manual therapy
Trigger point therapy
Dry needling
Mobility exercises
Stretching
Chiropractic care
Rehabilitation exercises
3. Prevent Chronic Pain and Sensitisation
Long-term management may involve:
Progressive strengthening
Motor control training
Sleep optimisation
Stress management
Regular physical activity
Education about pain
How This Research Aligns with Modern Chiropractic Care
At Health Wise Chiropractic, our goal is not simply to reduce pain.
We aim to identify the factors contributing to your symptoms and help restore normal movement, function, and resilience.
This research reinforces an important clinical principle:
Pain often has a purpose.
Rather than viewing trigger points solely as dysfunctional tissue, it may be more helpful to consider why the body created the response in the first place.
By addressing posture, movement patterns, spinal function, strength, mobility, and lifestyle factors, we can help reduce unnecessary mechanical stress while improving the body's ability to adapt and recover.
How Chiropractic Care May Help
At Health Wise Chiropractic, we take a comprehensive approach to posture-related care.
Treatment may include:
We focus on addressing both the symptoms and the underlying biomechanical stress contributing to neck dysfunction.
About the Author
Dr Julian Simpson is an Australian chiropractor with over 15 years of experience in musculoskeletal healthcare and rehabilitation.
He is a Board Member of the Chiropractic Australia Research Foundation and has reviewed and written more than 800 evidence-based health articles focused on spinal health, rehabilitation, sports injuries and conservative care approaches.
His treatment focus includes:
Chiropractic adjustments
Sports chiropractic
Massage therapy
Shockwave therapy
Laser therapy
Non-surgical spinal decompression
Dr Simpson provides patient care through Healthwise Chiropractic, serving communities including Sunbury, Melton, Diggers Rest and surrounding regions.
Reference
Guzzardo M, Nakazato-Nakamine T. Reframing myofascial pain syndrome: pathological disorder or adaptive protective response? Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2026 May 21;18:1759720X261449903. doi: 10.1177/1759720X261449903. PMID: 42179937; PMCID: PMC13195234.
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