Fibromyalgia trigger points are specific places on the body (18 specific points at 9 bilateral locations) that are exceptionally sensitive to the touch in people with fibromyalgia upon examination by a doctor. Fibromyalgia trigger points exist at these nine bilateral muscle locations:
- Low cervical region: (front neck area) at anterior aspect of the interspaces between the transverse processes of C5-C7.
- Second rib: (front chest area) at second costochondral junctions.
- Occiput: (back of the neck) at suboccipital muscle insertions.
- Trapezius muscle: (back shoulder area) at midpoint of the upper border.
- Supraspinatus muscle: (shoulder blade area) above the medial border of the scapular spine.
- Lateral epicondyle: (elbow area) 2 cm distal to the lateral epicondyle.
- Gluteal: (rear end) at upper outer quadrant of the buttocks.
- Greater trochanter: (rear hip) posterior to the greater trochanteric prominence.
- Knee: (knee area) at the medial fat pad proximal to the joint line.
- See: Fibromyalgia Trigger Points
Fibromyalgia trigger points are also called tender points. According to AAFP, fibromyalgia trigger points is an incorrect term since referred pain differentiates trigger points from tender points.
More Related Resources:
- Fibromyalgia Screening Quiz
- How is Fibromyalgia Treated?
- How is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
- Fibromyalgia: Test Your Knowledge
- How to Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
- Fibromyalgia Pain vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain: What Factors Determine Treatment?
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We should really make our selfs learn that Fibromyalgia is not a JOKE! It is very painful and there is very little besides medicen that will help the pain. However, that does not always work!!! Where is our goverment when there are Americans who suffer every waking second, minute, day, and yes weeks, months, years, and so on who can not afford insurance to get treatment!!! WELL I GUESS WE WILL LIVE IN A PAINFUL WORLD!!!!! THANKS WASHINGTON!!! YOU ARE GREAT!!!
Signed:
Survier Fibromyalgia Patient!
I agree with Wendy……there are so many people suffering with this all over the world (I’m from Australia)………that it needs to be recognised as by our medical profession as a very REAL syndrome indeed, and yet everyone wants to make us believe it’s in our head…………so frustrating and so painful! Someone please come up with a cure!
finally fibro being recognized….now we need to have rsd/crps brought out more to the public also………
I have chronic pain and I understand all the problems that people have. I have a doctor that I have seen for 18 years. I never hardly missed work and then I was hurt at work and had 5 surgeries. After going through that and feeling better I was in a car wreck. I was never the same and just kept getting worse to the point I would get stuck in bed for days at a time. I live that way now. If the weather changes too fast I’m in bed for a couple days. People don’t understand me. I’m 6′4 240 pounds and I guess they think that since I’m that size it should not happen to someone like me. Well it did and a lot of people said there was nothing wrong with me. Now most understand and see my pain but it don’t make it any easier. I feel sorry for anyone that has gone through what I have and hope that it don’t take as long for their family comes around faster.
i have had chronic pain in my toe joints for 49 years, finally aftermany tests and docors who had no cause or cure, a pain doctor suggested i try lyrica, what a great help.
i have fibromyalgia,i was finally diagonesed in 2003 after many years of pain. i have tried lyrica, but it works the opposite way for me, i can’t sleep,i stayed up for a week, i got literly drunk,my dr. pulled me off the drug, is there any relief for me? plesase help….
Magnetic Jewelry has been known to help Fibromyalgia sufferers. There is a book by Lara Owen called Pain Free with Magnet Therapy that discusses fibromyalgia and magnets. I know it’s hard to believe if you are not familiar with this. Countless people, with fibro, mainly women, swear by magnets. The magnets need to be strong. Beware of fake imitation hematite look alikes. If it doesn’t stick to the refrigerator, it is not magnetic. Non-magnetic hematite is generally a placebo. If you take Lyrica, read the seizure warnings from the drug maker. Do not wear magnets if you have pacemakers etc.
I found a way to get rid of my fibro permanently. I was in severe pain for years. I was in so much pain that I could not even go to sleep at night. It was completely debilitating. I tried everything – medication, swimming, aerobics, accu pressure…etc, and nothing worked. I saw a number of rheumatologists, and all they could do was give me a prescription. Then I went to see a chiropractor because I had lower back problems. Of course, he adjusted upper back and neck as well, and after several visit to him, my fibro went away. Now as long as I go see a chiropractor once every two or three weeks for a 5 minute adjustment, I am pain-free!
I have also gone to see a chiropractor and have felt some relief. However, not completely pain free. I have realized drinking plenty of water also helps..it releases toxins we have in our muscles. Food sensitivites also can make things bad. I was on a gluten,sugar,corn,peanut,orange,red meat free diet for detoxification and increased my water intake and had gained back so much energy. Began my regular foods again and did a complete reverse. Hurting again. Being checked now for the exact food sensitivity I have-so I can cut that out completly from my diet…
Does anyone on here notice that warmer weather tends to lesson the pain (some)? I live in Indiana and it is either really hot or really cold we do NOT really have much a Spring or Fall. It weighs heavy on me being I am 38 and should be in prime of my life my 17th doctor (NO KIDDING) before someone believed me. I also suffer from a tumor that they cannot get all the way out needing my 8th surgery. I am too young for all these problems and also have c-2 joint damage in neck which cause pain and severe migranes. I DO NOT WANT MEDS! I WANT TO BE FIXED!…. I have suffered and worked though all this pain until last 3 years or so….and now on Disability and feel useless (like i am here just to simply take up space) I pray someday someone can find a cure. I do want to give thanks to those doctors who DO believe in us. (17th doctor) until I found me a good one and actually believes me. Point is I guess please do NOT give up because it is a rough road but you will find someone to believe in you. I wish you all good health and to be happy……
Mel
This day is really to much for me, is the pain something I want to live to bear, I can no longer take this, I can’t sleep the pain feels like a bad tooth ache, I’m I suppose to live like this, I don’t have insurance, no medication, all I want now, is to don’t hurt anymore.
It’s amazing that this article has been left up with such an inaccurate title. Fibromyalgia has tender points. Myofascial pain syndrome has trigger points. They are not the same thing. A person can have both conditions. This isn’t hard information to find on reputable medical websites.