Trigger Point Therapy in San Diego

Trigger point therapy requires a therapist who understands referred pain patterns and can distinguish between a trigger point and general muscle tension. At PBTM, trigger point work is integrated into sessions with precision — your therapist doesn't just apply pressure to whatever hurts, they map the tension pattern, identify the source, and address it at the root. Combined with myofascial release to address the fascial environment around the trigger point and deep tissue work to normalize the surrounding muscle, our approach produces lasting deactivation rather than temporary relief that returns within days.

• Muscle knots that won't release with stretching or foam rolling

• Referred pain — pain felt in a different location than its source

• Tension headaches and migraines driven by neck and shoulder trigger points

• Jaw pain and TMJ tension referred from surrounding muscles

• Low back pain with referral into the glutes or legs

• Shoulder pain and limited arm range of motion

• Hip and glute trigger points causing sciatica-like symptoms

• Forearm and wrist tension from repetitive use

• Chest and rib tightness from postural trigger points

• Chronic pain that moves around or feels diffuse

• Assessment and mapping — your therapist identifies active trigger points through palpation and by tracking your referred pain patterns

• Sustained pressure — direct, sustained compression applied to the trigger point until it releases, typically 30-90 seconds per point

• Stripping and cross-fiber friction — techniques applied along and across the muscle fiber to normalize the tissue around the deactivated point

• Myofascial release — addressing the fascial environment that allowed the trigger point to develop and persist

• Muscle lengthening — passive stretching of the treated muscle to restore full resting length after deactivation

• Recheck — your therapist confirms the referred pain pattern has reduced or resolved before closing the session

You have specific spots that hurt when pressed, pain that radiates or refers to other areas, or chronic tension that keeps returning to the same locations despite regular massage. Trigger point therapy is especially valuable for clients who feel like their pain has a pattern they can't quite resolve. Not for: Clients looking for a purely relaxing, flowing massage experience. Trigger point therapy involves sustained pressure on specific spots that can produce a brief intense sensation before releasing — it is therapeutic and targeted, not a relaxation modality. Most clients find the discomfort immediately worthwhile when the referral pattern resolves.

New Client Intro Session 60 Min — $79 | 90 Min — $109 | 120 Min — $139

Standard Rates 60 Min — $105 | 90 Min — $155 | 120 Min — $205

Membership Rates 60 Min — $90 | 90 Min — $130 | 120 Min — $175

Members also receive 15% off all additional sessions booked that month.

Hydrate well. Come prepared to describe your pain patterns specifically — where it hurts, where it refers to, what makes it better or worse. The more information your therapist has, the more precisely they can map and address your trigger points. After: Some post-treatment soreness in the treated areas is normal and typically resolves within 24-48 hours. Drink plenty of water. Light stretching of the treated muscles is encouraged. Avoid intense training the same day. Apply heat to treated areas if soreness persists.

Trigger point therapy is safe for most clients. Inform your therapist of any bleeding disorders, blood thinners, active infections, open wounds, or areas of acute inflammation before your session. Trigger point work is not performed directly over recent surgical sites, fractures, or areas of active nerve entrapment without clearance from your healthcare provider.

• Advanced Pain Relief Massage: Trigger point therapy is a core technique in every Advanced Pain Relief session — used alongside deep tissue and myofascial release to address chronic pain at its source.

• Athletic Recovery & Performance Bodywork: Trigger points are extremely common in athletes from repetitive loading patterns. Trigger point work integrated into athletic recovery sessions addresses the specific pain and restriction patterns that develop from training.

• Nervous System Reset Massage: Chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation are primary drivers of trigger point development. A reset session that calms the nervous system reduces the physiological conditions that allow trigger points to form and persist.