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Fibromyalgia Pressure Points

Updated: July 13, 2009

By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DABFM

In 1990, The American College of Rheumatology defined the diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia, based upon two major criteria:

  1. Widespread pain that lasts for at least three months.
  2. Pain in at least eleven of the eighteen possible specified tender points throughout the body. These tender points will hurt when pressed, not just feel “tender”, but the pressure will not cause pain in any other part of the body. The amount of pressure that should be applied to determine if a pressure point is “positive” for pain is standardized at four kilograms, or just enough to turn the thumbnail white.

The widespread pain associated with fibromyalgia is defined as having pain in all four quadrants of the body (both sides of the body and above and below the waist.) In addition, pain must also be present in the cervical spine, anterior chest, thoracic spine or lower back.

This is the strict definition of fibromyalgia as written in the medical books.  However, many doctors realize that pressure points may change from time to time, and they may become worse or better on a day-to-day basis.

Where Are The Pressure Points Located?

These points occur in pairs.  There are two tender points at each of the following locations:

  1. Near the base of the skull
  2. On the lower vertebra of the neck
  3. At the midpoint of the upper border (the neck, mid back and upper back muscles between the shoulder blades)
  4. Above the scapula spine near the medial border
  5. At the insertion of the second rib
  6. Two centimeters distal to the side of the elbow
  7. On the upper and outer muscles of the buttocks
  8. On  the upper part of the thigh
  9. On the middle of the knee joint (the “fat” pad of the knee)

The eighteen “tender point” sites used for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia are located around the neck, shoulder, chest, hip, knee and buttocks.  There are over seventy-five tender points that exist on the body, but not all of these can confirm the fibromyalgia diagnosis.

Diagnosing Fibromyalgia

Although the criteria listed above is based on the count of symptomatic tender points, a consensus of thirty-five fibromyalgia experts published a report in 1996 saying that a person does not need to have the required eleven tender points in order to be diagnosed and treated for fibromyalgia. These experts agreed that the defining criteria was created for research purposes and that many people may still have fibromyalgia, even if they experience pain in less than eleven of the required tender points as long as they have widespread pain and many of the other common symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.  These other symptoms include:

  • Fatigue
  • Digestive disorders such as diarrhea, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome. The best remedy for constipation is a product called Oxy-Powder. It is available  at – http://www.colon-cleanse-constipation.com/
  • Sleep disorders or unproductive sleep
  • Chronic headaches or migraines
  • Jaw pain (including TMJ dysfunction)
  • Reduced cognitive abilities
  • Memory impairment
  • Malaise
  • Muscle pain
  • Joint pain and stiffness. The best natural remedy is available at http://www.ghchealth.com/
  • Numbness and tingling sensations in the extremities
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Hypersensitivity to heat and/or cold

Managing Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a disease that can completely take over one’s life. The pain and fatigue associated with the condition can affect one’s work performance, relationships, and daily activities.  The simple tasks necessary to alleviate the symptoms of fibromyalgia can consume every ounce of energy and every moment of the day, unless managed properly. If you or someone you love is suffering from fibromyalgia, here are a few ideas to help you get back in control of your life.

  1. Get Educated: If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, it is important to learn everything you can about the condition. The internets best resource is http://www.fibromyalgia-support.org/.  Fibromyalgia has many symptoms, and it requires a bit of patience and understanding before you can begin to manage the condition.  Read articles in magazines and on the Internet, check out books at the library, and talk with your health care provider or a fibromyalgia specialist to learn more about the syndrome. Don’t stop learning…more and more research is performed each day on fibromyalgia, offering new insights on remedies, diet, and exercises for the care of the disease.
  2. Ask For Help: Now is the time to lean on your friends and family.  Your loved ones can provide you with the emotional and physical support you need to manage this condition.
  3. Stay Positive: It is very easy to get depressed when you are suffering from fibromyalgia, or any chronic condition.  But you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to keep taking each day one at a time. You can learn to control the disease, rather than letting the disease control you. If you suffer from stress, anxiety or depression go to http://www.stress-anxiety-depression.org/ for help.

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