Neuromuscular & Trigger Point Therapy

Neuromuscular therapy is a fine tooth combing of the muscles and soft tissues designed specifically to decrease pain and increase function.

What is it?

Neuromuscular Therapy involves targeting areas of imbalance in the body and their specific muscles to restore balance across the joints and myofascial networks that support and integrate the body. It includes the use of Trigger Point Therapy which is the treatment of noxious pain points in the muscles and fascia.

These 'trigger points' are often responsible for musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction, they can cause pain localised to their position or refer pain away from the actual site.

Pain is sometimes not originating from where it is perceived.

Suitable for ongoing issues of pain and postural issues, and any pain that is having trouble resolving post injury or surgery.


"With her skilful and holistic approach to your body's wellbeing, a treatment with Heather is not only immensely helpful and richly rewarding, but also wonderfully enjoyable. There is no doubt that years of training and experience have helped to make Heather an exceptional therapist, but I also suspect that Heather is one of those lucky few to have actually been born with a special aptitude; an innate ability to feel things that can't necessarily be seen, and to help your body work as it should.

I think she is unique, and would recommend her to anyone – whether you've an acute or chronic problem, or whether you just want to feel better..."
Ruth Quinn - Director of Racing British Horseracing Authority



What is a Trigger Point?

According to some of the first and most well known researcher’s, Drs, Janet Travell & David Simmons (1993) a trigger point is,

”A highly irritable localised spot of exquisite tenderness in a nodule in a taut band of (skeletal muscle)” which is the treatment of noxious pain points in the muscles and fascia.

Trigger points are also known as myofascial trigger points as they are embedded and part of both the muscle and the fascia. Fascia helps a muscle transfer its kinetic energy through the body. The two tissues are closely linked.

Pain is sometimes not originating from where it is perceived.

Suitable for ongoing issues of pain and postural issues, and any pain that is having trouble resolving post injury or surgery.


What can Trigger Point Therapy do?

Quadratus Lumborum Trigger PointsPain Relief: When trigger points are released they not only help the pain free function of the muscle but ensure the flow of kinetic energy and the transfer of movement through the functional fascial networks of the body. The result is not just pain relief but better biomechanics in the joints affected which will hinder further trigger point development.

Trigger points present as small nodules of varying size within the muscle fibre, tiny but they can be responsible for much pain in the body. Travell and Simmons found in their research that trigger points may be responsible for up to 80% of musculoskeletal pain. (Travell, Simmons, 1993). A trigger point can radiate pain into surrounding areas of the body; sometimes the pain felt originates from an area distant from where it is felt, so a stimulated trigger point can refer pain at some distance from its origin.


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What causes Trigger Points?

Posture and related strain, stress and its related tension and the biochemical ‘soup’ of the tissues can effect trigger point development. Any part of the body that is over working becoming tight and fatigued due to faulty biomechanics can be responsible. Sometimes the process of adapting to posture and movement can propagate trigger points as our body moulds to the strain both physically and mentally we apply to it. Both acute injury and long-term habits contribute to trigger point development.

Many people sit for hours a day at desks and this is a major contributor to trigger points presenting as back, neck, or shoulder pain. Human beings weren’t designed for long periods of sitting, we are supposed to move and by blocking this movement everyday we hinder our natural balance in the musculoskeletal system and this encourages trigger point development and pain.

Faulty biomechanics picked up in everyday life are transferred into leisure activities such as weekend sport and often this is when injuries happen. Injures can be treated but often looking at trigger points and the biomechanical balance can have positive effects such as reducing pain and the likelihood of injury.

I combine my Trigger Point Therapy with Neuromuscular Therapy which looks at the biomechanical, bio physical and bio psychosocial side of an individual, any pain felt is recognised as part of a complex individual.

I also use Trigger Point Therapy in all other treatments from Holistic Massage to Sports/Remedial Massage to encourage pain relief and functionality; it is a favourite and frequently used tool in my work.

As a Trigger Point Therapist I recognise the patterns of referral and ‘hunt’ for the responsible trigger points. Knowledge of the origin and cause of the trigger points follows closely to the patient’s presentation, individual body make up and biomechanics. The choice and application of areas worked is highly specific.

The goal of therapy is not only to relieve pain but integrate the once painful area with surrounding areas of the body and increase biomechanical function. I also give self care advice such as stretches, exercises and advice on breathing and relaxation techniques to support the Trigger Point Therapy effects and long term benefits.