This explains why so many patients find success with trigger point therapy for shoulder pain. Instead of treating the area where you experience pain, it targets the muscle that is producing it.
What Is a Trigger Point?
A sensitive knot that is found inside a muscle is also known as a trigger point. When the muscle fibers contract, they get stuck in that state and will not let go.
When you press on a trigger point, two things can happen. You can experience pain where you press and it can often hurt somewhere else too. This explains why a knot in your upper back can also possibly cause shoulder pain. You may hear your doctor call this “referred pain”.
For a fuller explanation, read our guide on what trigger point therapy is and how it works.
Which Muscles Cause Shoulder Pain?
A few muscles are usually responsible:
- Rotator cuff muscles. Pain sits deep in the shoulder and gets worse when you lift your arm or reach behind you.
- Upper trapezius. Pain covers the top of the shoulder and runs into the neck, sometimes with headaches.
- Muscles around the shoulder blade. Pain shows up between the shoulder blades and spreads toward the upper arm. We cover this pattern in detail in our post on upper back pain and muscle tension.
Desk work, overhead lifting, carrying a bag on one side, and sleeping on one shoulder all overload these muscles. Over time they tighten, and knots form. When posture is the underlying driver, chiropractic care often helps address it.
Because the pain travels, the sore spot is rarely the source. This is the main reason trigger point therapy for shoulder pain starts with an exam. Your provider presses along each muscle to find the knot that reproduces your exact symptoms.
What Treatment is Like
Your provider presses on the tight spots and holds steady pressure until the muscle releases. It feels like a firm, deep ache rather than a sharp pain. You can read more about how we treat muscle knots at our Islandia office.
Most sessions last 30 to 60 minutes. We usually add stretches and simple exercises so the knot is less likely to come back. Mild soreness for a day afterward is normal.
Some patients feel looser after one visit. Others need a few sessions, especially if the pain has been building for months.
When knots are stubborn, trigger point injections are another option. We also combine treatment with physical therapy when weakness or posture is part of the problem. Some patients prefer acupuncture as a non-drug alternative.
When Should You Get Your Shoulder Checked
Make an appointment if you notice:
- Shoulder pain lasting more than two weeks
- Trouble reaching overhead or behind your back
- Pain that wakes you at night
- Aching that spreads into your neck or arm
Not all shoulder pain comes from muscle knots. Rotator cuff tears, arthritis, and pinched nerves cause similar symptoms, so an exam matters before treatment starts. Our pain management team checks for those first.
Book an Appointment
We treat shoulder pain at our Islandia office, with satellite locations across Suffolk and Nassau. Learn more about our practice or see what our patients say.
Call (631) 203-4300 or request an appointment online. New patients can save time by filling out our new patient forms beforehand.
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider about your specific symptoms and treatment.