Trapezius Trigger Points and Headaches

Watch this video to learn about Trapezius trigger points and their connection with common tension headaches.

This video tutorial may be of use to any therapist treating trapezius trigger points either through manual therapy or the use of dry needling.

There are typically 3 sets of trigger points in the trapezius with the upper two sets generally associated with tension type headaches and in some cases migraine (not causal).

This video is an excerpt from the NAT online Trigger Point course - Treating Common Headaches.

For more information about NAT Continuing Education and Speciality Diploma Courses, please visit our website:

[earlprinsloo]

Since working from home during lockdown I’ve been experiencing this quite often. It’s worthwhile investing in a proper desk and office chair everyone

[FrankZen]

This is exactly what's happening to me. Right after doing lats! Sometimes after doing shoulders. Is it knotted?

[DJHARN]

Anyone else also get eye floaters with this trigger point when it’s active? Mine become very pronounced during this tension type headache with the pain pulsating with the pattern of my heartbeat.

[jlovelysoul]

Hello, can this refer pain to the lower jaw?

[Punkblaster]

I always get tension headache when I workout at the gym then work on computer for hours. Meds ands stretching does nothing hopefully the applying pressure on the trigger points helps me get relief.

[prabhkaransingh]

plz .. help.. how to treat those trigger

[mobbarley]

Hello Neil, what if someone is actually getting a migraine from this, not just a headache? At exactly the same intensity that the "headache" strikesl, the stomach gets nauseous & irritated feeling, & an overall I'll feeling grows increasingly worse. But absolutely none without the headache. Also, a strange tinge of pain & snapping that feels like a rubberband being stretched from the top of the skull to just behind & beneath the ear on the right side & pulled out & snapped back in that straight line when tilting head to left? Therapy helps some, strength training other muscles provides the longest relief, but repetative work movements inflame the scapulae & the migraine sets in inside of 30min. Tylenol(don't take AI's for GI reasons) helps for maybe 10-20 min.

[cinmac]

hi Neil, i don’t get headaches unless i press down too hard, but, my traps hurt ?

[roidAholic]

How do trigger points work? Why do we feel pain in other areas of the body?

[daviddickson]

It’s say these trigger points are really common yet I haven’t found anyone that can fix it in 5 years or trying different treatments. I guess they lose a customer if the treatment helps permanently

[jasmineprincess]

It's paining badly Plzz tell me what should I do

[xpost]

I press this point and headache increases. Headache never stops, lots of massage trigger point work. What now? Thanks