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How Trigger Point Therapy Improves Foot Pain

Posted by:

Johannes Sauer

Reviewed by:

Emilee Fechter

Updated at: October 30, 2024

Table of Contents

  1. What is Trigger Point Therapy?

  2. Benefits of Trigger Point Therapy for the Feet

    1. Pain Relief

    2. Improved Mobility and Strength

    3. Stress Reduction

    4. Better Circulation

  3. Common Trigger Points in the Feet

  4. Tips for Effective Therapy

  5. How Can Shoes Play a Role?

Patients looking for an effective, affordable, non-invasive treatment option for foot drop and foot pain can consider trigger point therapy. This guide will introduce you to the benefits of trigger point therapy for feet, and offer some recommendations for success.

What is Trigger Point Therapy?

Trigger point therapy is any form of therapy that addresses trigger points. Trigger points are the sore, painful spots that can sometimes develop in muscle tissue that refer pain to other parts of the body. Many people call them “muscle knots.” When trigger points are present, so are taut bands of muscle tissue.

Examples of therapies that attempt to treat trigger points include manual release, massage, dry needling, acupuncture, gua sha, and even simple techniques like rolling a tennis ball over the muscle.

Active trigger points can worsen foot drop and foot pain resulting from back surgery, injuries, or underlying health conditions. Treating them with trigger point therapy can result in improvements.

Benefits of Trigger Point Therapy for the Feet

Trigger point therapy for feet can relieve pain, enhance mobility, and help reduce stress. Let’s discuss these benefits in more detail.

Pain Relief

Active trigger points and taut bands of muscle tissue can produce and sustain myofascial pain, and also worsen nerve compression, producing or contributing to nerve pain.

Treating trigger points may result in a reduction in associated myofascial and nerve pain.

Improved Mobility and Strength

The taut bands of muscle that are present with active trigger points can be stiff, exhibiting reduced flexibility and strength.

By treating the trigger points, it may be possible to soften the tight bands of muscle, restoring mobility and strength.

Stress Reduction

Pain and loss of function in the feet can create stress or worsen stress. For many patients, treating trigger points can help reduce stress. 

Better Circulation

Trigger points and tight muscle bands are associated with a reduction in circulation. This reduced circulation can result in biochemical imbalances within localized cells that worsen the condition, leading to a vicious cycle. Trigger point therapies may improve circulation, helping to disrupt that cycle.

Common Trigger Points in the Feet

Some common trigger points in the feet include:

  • On the sole of the foot just in front of the heel.
  • On the sole of the foot just to the right and front of the heel.
  • On top of the foot between the big toe and the one next to it, back a little bit, as well as the same area on the bottom of the foot. These are trigger points in the lumbricals and interossei.

These are just several examples. We recommend looking up foot trigger point charts, which show you both the locations of the trigger points and where they refer to pain.

Tips for Effective Therapy

person getting a leg massage

Oct 30, 2024

Here are some tips for getting the most out of trigger point therapy:

  • Try different types of trigger point therapy to find the one(s) that are most effective for you.
  • Use trigger point therapy in conjunction with other treatments, such as wearing a brace, performing PT foot drop exercises, and using nerve stimulation. Your doctor will tell you if you need surgical intervention.
  • Drink plenty of water, and eat a nutritious diet.
  • Experiment to find the ideal amount of pressure for trigger points. This can vary from person to person, but is typically moderate pressure, not especially light or hard pressure.
  • Remember to target the points referring to the pain, not necessarily the areas where you feel the pain.
  • Engage in regular aerobic exercise, as this can help to boost body-wide circulation and reduce inflammation.
  • Pay attention to how your posture at any given moment is affecting muscle tension, worsening or improving knots.

How Can Shoes Play a Role?

One more thing you can do to reduce pain and improve stability in your feet is wear Cadense shoes for foot drop. These shoes feature patented variable friction technology, allowing your feet to “glide” over uneven surfaces, even if you have foot drop.

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FAQ

Can I perform trigger point therapy at home?

Some types of trigger point therapy can be performed on your own at home. Others require a professional to perform.

How often should I do trigger point therapy on my feet?

A general recommendation is once a week, or once every couple of weeks. But some people can benefit from trigger point therapy multiple times a week. Others may get away with doing it more infrequently.

Are there any risks involved in trigger point therapy?

Trigger point therapy is safe for most patients. But avoid applying too much pressure, especially on any injured tissue.

Posted by: Johannes Sauer

Johannes is the CEO and Co-Founder of Cadense and passionate about helping people with walking difficulties. Johannes is the CEO and Co-Founder of Cadense and passionate about helping people with walking difficulties. He was immediately drawn to the mission of the company because his cousin lost his lower leg in a tragic motorcycle accident a few years ago and is experiencing walking difficulties ever since. Johannes brings over a decade of experience in working for consumer product companies to Cadense. He holds an MBA from the University of Graz in Austria. Johannes lives with his family in Santa Barbara, CA.

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Reviewed by: Emilee Fechter

Emilee, originally from Augusta, Georgia, earned her Master's degree from Georgia College in May 2018. Emilee, originally from Augusta, Georgia, earned her Master's degree from Georgia College in May 2018. During her time at Augusta University, she researched the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cell lines, while her graduate thesis focused on the re-localization of cellular proteins during adenovirus infection. Emilee has been recognized for her research by the American Physiological Society and the Georgia College Department of Biological Sciences. With a strong passion for virology and immunology, her work has been published in theGeorgia Journal of ScienceandMolecular Carcinogenesis.

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Medical Disclaimer: This website is not intended for the purpose of providing medical advice. This website’s information, content, and material are for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Cadense Inc. may not be held liable for any damages whether incidental, ordinary or consequential. Cadense does not make any guarantee of any particular end result. Cadense makes no claims or guarantees of payment/reimbursement by any insurance companies. Cadense adaptive shoes are intended to provide greater mobility to those with walking difficulties.