Trigger points or “pressure points”: which do we use?
Trigger point and pressure points such as acupressure are largely the same points, but the way they are diagnosed and treated can be a lot different.
Pressure points (eg. acupuncture points)
Ancient civilisations found that certain points were associated with various conditions including shoulder pain, and that pressing on them or needling gave relief.
Trigger points
More recently scientists have “re-discovered” these points calling them trigger points, and subjected them them to modern scientific analysis.
The difference between using “pressure points” and trigger points
"Pressure points"
The ancient civilisations had no modern scientific knowledge to enable them to work out what the point were, so made up stories based upon their beliefs at the time (1–6). These stories provide no help in diagnosing which points are involved. For example, how does one measure “life force” running through a meridian to find out where it is blocked? All these systems can tell us is which points are commonly involved, not whether they actually are or not.
Trigger points
On the other hand “trigger point” scientists have identified the physical characteristics of the points so they can be identified, plus better ways of preventing and treating them. Because of this we will be using the “trigger point” system for identification and treatment.