Fibromyalgia Trigger Points
Trigger points are localized spots on the body that are found within the skeletal muscle. They can cause pain in the muscles used to maintain body posture, such as those in the neck, shoulders, and pelvic girdle. Pain in the trigger points can also be transmitted elsewhere in the body, causing tension headaches, tinnitus, Temporomandibular joint pain, decreased range of motion in the legs, and low back pain. Pressure on a trigger point will elicit pain directly over the affected area and cause radiation of pain toward other points on the body. Trigger points or tender points are specific sites on the body that cause pain when pressed. Trigger points are different from tender points. Tender points hurt when pressed, but trigger points hurt and refer pain to other body parts. Pain in trigger points can cause myofascial pain, muscle pain, or even nausea. There are nine pairs of trigger points on the body. Each pair has one point on each side of the body, for a total of eighteen points. These pairs occur in various spots all over the body. A good topical pain relief formula can be found at www.ghchealth.com.
Where Are Trigger Points Located?
There are eighteen trigger points on the body, arranged in nine pairs. Two trigger points can be found on either side of the body at each of the following locations:
- Behind the ear where the neck muscles attach to the base of the skull.
- About halfway between the base of the neck and the tip of the shoulder.
- At the spot where the back muscles attach to the shoulder blade, just below the 2nd trigger point.
- On the front of the neck above the collarbone.
- Just to the right and left of the breastbone (sternum) about 2 in. (5.08 cm) below the collarbone.
- On each forearm just below and to the outside of the crease of the elbow
- Just above and to the outer right and left of each buttock.
- On the outer upper leg just behind the bony part of the hip (this point is easier to find when standing
- On the inside of each knee.
Active and Latent Trigger Points
Trigger points can be classified as being either active or latent. An active trigger point causes pain regardless of whether or not pressure is applied to it. The pain is often described as spreading or radiating from the trigger point. A latent trigger point does not cause pain upon pressure, but it may restrict movement or cause muscle weakness. The person who suffers from latent trigger points may only become aware of pain when pressure is applied directly over the point.
Tender Points and the Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia
According to the American College of Rheumatology, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia is based upon the presence of two major criteria. These include 1) widespread and persistent pain that lasts at least three months and 2) pain with minimally applied pressure on at least eleven out of the eighteen possible specified tender points throughout the body. These tender points will hurt when pressed, but the pressure will not cause pain in any other part of the body. The physician applies a standardized amount of pressure, usually about four kilograms which is just enough to turn a thumbnail white. A tender point feels as if it is bruised when touched with this much pressure.
Widespread pain is defined as having pain in both sides of the body and pain above and below the waist. In addition, pain must also be present in the cervical spine, anterior chest, thoracic spine or lower back.
Managing Trigger Points
Trigger-points have been associated with high stress levels and depression. For more information on natural remedies go to www.stress-anxiety-depression.org. Another possible cause of pain in trigger points is a toxic colon. I recommend regular colon cleansing. More information can be found at www.colon-cleanse-constipation.com.
In most cases lack of exercise and stretching also leads to trigger points and unexpected weight gain, if this is a problem, a good resource is www.weightlossobesity.com
