Clinical trials
Trigger Points clinical trials
Below are recruiting trigger points clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 37 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT06986707Recruiting
Hands-on therapy for low back pain from muscle knots
This study compares two gentle hands-on techniques to relieve low back pain caused by muscle knots in the quadratus lumborum (a deep lower back muscle). It may help if you have had back pain for at least 3 months and find it hard to move certain parts of your lower back.
Lahore, Punjab ProvinceAges 20–45 - NCT07058636Recruiting
Nerve block plus trigger point shots for neck pain relief
This study tests if adding a nerve block to standard trigger point injections provides better relief for people with chronic neck pain caused by myofascial pain syndrome.
AnkaraAges 18–65 - NCT07681661Recruiting
Massage Gun vs Deep Massage for Shoulder Knots
This study compares using a handheld massage device (like a massage gun) with deep pressure massage to treat painful knots in the upper shoulder muscle. It may help people with moderate to severe neck or shoulder pain who have not had recent treatment.
IslamabadAges 24–45 - NCT04445545Recruiting
Laser treatment for tight neck trigger points
This trial tests whether high-intensity laser therapy applied to specific “trigger points” in the neck muscles can help people with painful tight spots. You may be eligible if you have those trigger points and meet safety rules about recent neck/shoulder problems and skin and nerve conditions.
Santiago, Las CondesAges 18 years+ - NCT06664359Recruiting
Safer trigger point injections using ultrasound guidance
This study is testing a safer way to give trigger point injections — shots that relieve painful muscle knots — in the upper back. Researchers will use ultrasound to guide the needle and measure how close it is to the lungs, to avoid complications.
AnkaraAges 18–65 - NCT07547605RecruitingPhase 4
Comparing PRP, Steroid, and Combined Injections for Neck and Shoulder Pain
This study tests three different injection treatments for upper trapezius myofascial pain (a specific type of muscle knot in your neck/shoulder area). Researchers will compare platelet-rich plasma (PRP, made from your own blood), a steroid injection, and a combination of both to see which works best for pain relief.
Kyrenia, KeryneiaAges 18–65 - NCT04732507Enrolling by invitationPhase 2
Trigger point injections: test fewer needlings for pain relief
This Phase 2 study tests whether doing a smaller number of needle “treatments” during trigger point injections works as well for myofascial pain. If you’ve tried safer treatments without success (or can’t do physical therapy), you may be eligible to help answer the best treatment approach.
Tucson, ArizonaAges 18 years+ - NCT07672093Recruiting
Dry needling for forearm muscle knots
This study tests whether inserting a thin needle (dry needling) into a tight muscle knot in your forearm can help release it without causing pain. It's for healthy adults who have a non-painful knot in their dominant arm.
Reus, TarragonaAges 18–40 - NCT07347067Recruiting
Trigger point injections for chronic migraine
This study tests if injecting medication into specific painful spots in your muscles (called trigger points) can help reduce chronic migraine pain. It may be an option if you've tried other treatments but still have significant pain.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 18–65 - NCT07347054Recruiting
Trigger point injection for shoulder arthritis pain
This study tests whether injecting a medication into painful knots in the shoulder muscle can reduce pain from shoulder arthritis. It may be a good option if you have had shoulder pain for at least 3 months and other treatments haven't worked well enough.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 45 years+ - NCT06556758Recruiting
Stripping massage for rhomboid trigger points in women
This study tests whether a specific massage technique (stripping massage) can relieve upper back pain caused by trigger points in the rhomboid muscles. It focuses on women aged 18 to 40 who have not had neck or shoulder surgery.
Rawalpindi, Punjab ProvinceAges 18–40 - NCT07347028Recruiting
Trigger point injections for knee osteoarthritis pain
This trial tests whether injecting medication into muscle knots (trigger points) can reduce knee pain in people with knee osteoarthritis. It may be an option if other treatments haven't helped enough.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 45 years+ - NCT07347041Recruiting
Trigger point injections for hip osteoarthritis pain
This study tests if injecting pain-relieving medication into tight muscle knots (called trigger points) can reduce hip pain from osteoarthritis. It is for people who still have pain despite trying other treatments.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 45 years+ - NCT07347730Recruiting
Trigger point injections for chronic headache from the neck
This study tests whether injections into muscle trigger points can reduce chronic headache pain that starts in the neck. It may help people who have not found relief from standard pain medications.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 18–65 - NCT07632820RecruitingPhase 4
Nerve Block vs. Injection for Upper Back Muscle Pain
This study compares two ways to treat chronic muscle pain in the upper back: a nerve block (numbing injection near the spine) and trigger point injections (shots directly into painful muscle knots). The goal is to see which approach works better for long-lasting relief.
Jacksonville, FloridaAges 18–80 - NCT06338514Recruiting
Dry needling for upper back muscle pain
This study tests if dry needling helps reduce shoulder pain caused by muscle knots in the upper back. It may be an option if you have not had recent back surgery or treatments.
KütahyaAges 18–80 - NCT07573527Recruiting
Online therapy for upper back muscle pain from trigger points
This study tests whether remote physical therapy (done online) can help relieve neck and upper back pain caused by tight knots in your rhomboid muscles. You would receive guided exercises and treatment through video calls instead of visiting a clinic in person.
Karachi, SindhAges 18–35 - NCT06777940Recruiting
Kegel exercises vs. muscle release for period pain
This study compares two methods to reduce period pain: Kegel exercises (pelvic floor exercises) and a hands-on technique to release muscle knots (trigger points) in the lower belly, back, and hip. It may help if you are a young woman with painful periods and have tender spots in those muscles.
Lahore, Punjab ProvinceAges 17–25 - NCT07692126Recruiting
Neck pain and hand strength: core vs shoulder exercises
This study compares two types of exercises to see which better improves hand grip strength and neck pain. If you have had chronic myofascial neck pain (trigger points) in the upper shoulder muscle for over 6 months, this trial may help find which exercise works best for you.
Giza, Giza GovernorateAges 25–45 - NCT07027644Recruiting
Combined therapy for chronic neck pain relief
This trial tests whether combining a muscle-relaxation technique with cupping therapy is more effective than either alone for treating chronic neck pain caused by muscle knots in the upper trapezius. Participants must have had these knots for more than 6 months.
GizaAges 18–40 - NCT06814808Enrolling by invitation
Comparing three treatments for chronic neck pain
This study compares three different treatments for chronic neck pain caused by trigger points (tender knots in muscles). It aims to find which approach works best for pain relief and improved function.
Istanbul, ZeytinburnuAges 18–65 - NCT07694882Recruiting
Gentle pressure techniques for chronic neck pain
This study tests two different types of gentle pressure techniques (myofascial release) to see which one helps relieve long-term neck pain and improve everyday function. It is for people with chronic neck pain that isn't caused by a specific injury or disease.
Famagusta, HatayAges 18–45 - NCT04704297RecruitingPhase 4
Trigger point shots for low back muscle pain
This trial tests whether injecting sore “trigger points” in low back muscles helps improve chronic low back pain. It compares treatments in people with specific low back muscle pain patterns and excludes several other causes of pain.
Tacoma, WashingtonAges 18 years+ - NCT06316583Recruiting
Dry needling for painful periods study
This trial tests whether dry needling (a type of acupuncture) can help relieve primary dysmenorrhea (painful periods without another cause). It compares the effects on specific acupoints to see which works best.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 18–30
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for trigger points?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 37 recruiting trigger points studies from the U.S. registry, each rewritten for real people, not researchers, so you can see what it’s testing and who it’s for.
- How do I know if I qualify for a trigger points trial?
- Each study lists its eligibility criteria — rules about age, diagnosis, and prior treatments. On every Clin2 trial page we explain these in words written for real people and offer a short, optional pre-screen for a fit read. The study team makes the final decision.
- Does it cost anything to join a trigger points trial?
- Using Clin2 is always free. Many trials cover the cost of the study treatment and related visits; some reimburse travel. The study team explains exactly what’s covered before you decide.
Related conditions
Clin2 helps you find and understand clinical trials and does not provide medical advice. Study data comes from ClinicalTrials.gov. Talk with your doctor about whether a specific trial is right for you.