Fibromyalgia pressure 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 pressure 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 Pressure Points

Fibromyalgia pressure points are also called trigger points or 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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