Trigger Point Therapy in Bartlett, TN
Release Painful Muscle Knots and Move Freely Again
Understanding Your Muscles
What Are Trigger Points and Muscle Knots?
A myofascial trigger point is a small, tender spot inside a tight band of muscle. It feels like a firm knot under the skin, and pressing on it often causes pain in that spot and in a predictable pattern farther away, called referred pain. Trigger points are one of the most common sources of everyday muscle pain, and trigger point therapy aims to calm them down so the muscle can relax and work normally again.
When you rub your upper shoulder after a long day at the computer and find a sore lump that sends an ache up into your neck or head, you have likely found a trigger point. Knots also show up in the lower back, hips, calves and between the shoulder blades, and they can make a muscle feel stiff, weak or tired.
Many patients in Bartlett and the greater Memphis area tell us they have lived with the same knot for months. Massage helps for a day, then it comes right back. That pattern is a sign the muscle needs a clear plan, not just another quick fix.
Table of Contents
- 01 Why Muscle Knots Happen
- 02 Referred Pain, Fascia and Posture
- 03 What Makes Trigger Points Worse?
- 04 Why Choose Worthington Chiropractic for Trigger Points Care in Bartlett, TN
- 05 Treatment Options Comparison
- 06 You May Be Experiencing Trigger Points If...
- 07 Related Services
- 08 Frequently Asked Questions
- 09 Scientific References
The Science
Why Muscle Knots Happen
Healthy muscle fibers contract and then fully relax. When a muscle is overloaded, held in one position for hours or strained suddenly, a small group of fibers can stay partly contracted. That tight band squeezes nearby blood vessels, so less oxygen reaches the area and waste products build up.
Researchers have measured higher levels of inflammatory and pain-signaling chemicals around active trigger points than in normal muscle. A scientific review indexed by the National Library of Medicine describes how this local chemical environment can make nerves more sensitive, which helps explain why a small knot can cause pain that spreads into the neck, head or leg.
The result is a cycle. Pain makes the muscle guard and tighten, and tightness keeps the knot irritated. Breaking that cycle is the goal of dry needling for muscle knots and other hands-on trigger point treatment.
Deeper Understanding
Referred Pain, Fascia and Posture
Each muscle tends to refer pain to its own map. Knots in the upper trapezius often send pain toward the temple and may play a role in some tension-type headaches, while knots in the gluteal muscles can refer pain down the back of the thigh. This is why the sore spot you feel is not always where the problem started.
Muscles are wrapped in fascia, a thin connective tissue layer. After injury or long periods of tension, fascia can become stiff and stuck to the tissue around it, which limits how freely the muscle glides. Graston Technique and soft tissue therapy use specialized stainless steel instruments and myofascial release to loosen those restrictions. You can read more about the instruments on the Graston Technique official site.
Posture and joint motion matter too. Forward head posture, rounded shoulders and stiff spinal joints keep certain muscles overworked all day, so knots return if the cause is not addressed. That is why trigger points often travel with neck pain and back pain.
Contributing Factors
What Makes Trigger Points Worse?
Identifying Your Triggers
Prolonged Sitting
Hours at a desk, behind the wheel or looking down at a phone keep neck and shoulder muscles working without a break.
Repetitive Motion
Lifting, typing, overhead work and repeated sports movements can overload the same small group of muscle fibers.
Sudden Strain or Injury
A fall, a lift gone wrong or a car accident can leave muscles guarding and tight long after the event.
Stress and Poor Sleep
Emotional stress raises baseline muscle tension, and poor sleep limits the recovery muscles need overnight.
Weak or Unbalanced Muscles
When supporting muscles are weak, other muscles pick up the slack and become overworked and knotted.
Dehydration and Inactivity
Low fluid intake and long periods without movement can leave muscles stiff and more prone to tight, tender bands.
Why Worthington
Why Choose Worthington Chiropractic for Trigger Points Care in Bartlett, TN
Expert Care in Bartlett
Thorough Evaluation
We examine your posture, joint motion and muscle tone, with on-site X-ray when needed, to find what keeps knots coming back.
Certified Dry Needling
Functional dry needling from a certified provider targets deep trigger points that are hard to reach by hand.
Hands-On Soft Tissue Work
Graston Technique, myofascial release and electrical muscle stimulation help tight tissue relax and recover.
Trusted by Neighbors
Winner of the 2025 Memphis Most Award for best chiropractic clinic, with nearly 300 five-star Google reviews.
Joints and Muscles
Adjustments are combined with dry needling and soft tissue work, so care covers the muscle and the joints around it.
Walk-Ins Welcome
Open Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM on Stage Road in Bartlett, with Cherry and CareCredit financing available.
Treatment Options Comparison
Is This You?
You May Be Experiencing Trigger Points If...
Recognizing When to Seek Help
A Lump You Can Feel
You can find a firm, pea-sized or rope-like spot in the muscle that is tender when you press on it.
Pain That Spreads
Pressing the knot sends an ache somewhere else, such as up into your head, down your arm or into your hip.
Stiff, Limited Motion
Turning your head, reaching overhead or bending forward feels tight, and you lose some of your normal range.
Recurring Headaches
Aching that starts in the neck or shoulders and wraps toward the temples or behind the eyes keeps coming back.
Relief That Never Lasts
Massage, stretching or a heating pad helps for a few hours, then the same tight spot returns.
Weak or Tired Muscles
The affected muscle feels weaker or fatigues faster, even though you have not noticed a new injury.
Treatments
Related Services
Explore the hands-on therapies we use to release muscle knots.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Precise, hands-on spinal adjustments that restore alignment, ease pain and help you move freely.
Learn More
Spinal Decompression Therapy
Gentle, computer-controlled traction on the Triton 6M to ease disc pressure and nerve pain.
Learn More 
Prenatal Chiropractic
Gentle, pregnancy-safe adjustments for back, hip and pelvic comfort as your body changes.
Learn More Your Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
About Trigger Points and Muscle Knots
What is trigger point therapy?
Trigger point therapy is care aimed at releasing tender knots in tight bands of muscle. At Worthington Chiropractic it may include functional dry needling, Graston Technique, myofascial release and electrical muscle stimulation, combined with adjustments and exercises to address what caused the knots.
Does dry needling hurt?
Most patients feel a quick pinch as the thin needle goes in, and sometimes a brief twitch or deep ache when it reaches the knot. That twitch is often a sign the trigger point is releasing. Mild soreness for a day or two afterward is common and usually fades on its own.
How many visits does it take to release a muscle knot?
It varies. Many patients notice less tightness and better motion within a few visits, while knots that have been present for months may take longer. We check your progress at each visit and adjust the plan as your muscles respond.
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
No. Both use thin, solid needles, but dry needling is based on modern anatomy and targets specific trigger points in muscle to reduce pain and tension. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine and meridian points. Dr. Worthington is certified in functional dry needling.
What can I do at home for muscle knots?
Gentle stretching, heat, staying hydrated and taking short movement breaks from sitting may help. A massage ball or foam roller can ease tension between visits. We give you simple exercises so knots are less likely to return once your pain settles.
Can trigger points cause headaches?
They can contribute. Knots in the upper shoulders, neck and base of the skull often refer pain toward the temples or behind the eyes, which many people feel as a tension-type headache. Sudden, severe or unusual headaches need prompt medical evaluation.
When should I see someone about muscle knots?
Schedule a visit if a knot lasts more than a couple of weeks, keeps returning, limits your motion or causes headaches or spreading pain. Walk-ins are welcome at our Bartlett office Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM.
- Hours
- Monday to Friday, 8AM to 6PM
- Phone
- (901) 519-7777
Ready to Feel Better?
Schedule Your Appointment
Scientific References
- Shah JP et al., PM R. (2015). Review of the history and science of myofascial trigger points, including the local biochemical changes found around active trigger points. PMID: 25724849.
- Gattie E et al., J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. (2017). Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of trigger point dry needling for musculoskeletal conditions, finding short-term pain reduction versus sham or no treatment. PMID: 28158962.
- Kietrys DM et al., J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. (2013). Systematic review and meta-analysis supporting dry needling for short-term pain relief in upper-quarter myofascial pain. PMID: 23756457.
- Cheatham SW et al., J Can Chiropr Assoc. (2016). Systematic review of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, such as Graston Technique, reporting possible benefits for pain and range of motion. PMID: 27713575.
- Ajimsha MS et al., J Bodyw Mov Ther. (2015). Systematic review of randomized trials suggesting myofascial release may help reduce pain and improve function. PMID: 25603749.