A form of massage therapy that relieves chronic pain by targeting trigger points, or accumulations of waste products surrounding nerve receptors. Trigger points form in muscles that have been overused or injured, thereby causing muscle tension and muscle shortening. A massage therapist practicing trigger point therapy works to flush toxins and calm the nerves, while the person breathes deeply to release tension. Trigger point therapy is used to relieve headache, stiff neck, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, bursitis, back pain, and shin splints.