Fibromyalgia Trigger Points

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.

• Trigger Points vs. Tender Points, from AAFP.org

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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