15 Questions
What kind of pain do patients with trigger points often report?
Regional, persistent pain
Which muscles are often affected by trigger points leading to a decreased range of motion?
Neck, shoulders, and pelvic girdle
Myofascial pain syndrome with trigger points can manifest as eye symptoms.
True
Myofascial trigger points can refer pain to _________________ locations.
distal or proximal
Match the types of trigger points with their descriptions:
Active trigger point = Produces pain without compression, very tender upon palpation Latent trigger point = Usually silent, tender upon palpation, may produce pain with compression Satellite trigger point = Develops in the same muscle or synergistic muscles as the main trigger point Central trigger point = Located near the center of muscle fibers, associated with dysfunctional endplates Attachment trigger point = Located at the musculo-tendinous junction or osseous attachment, related to unrelieved tension
What is the primary cause of myofascial trigger point activation?
Micro trauma resulting from repetitive motion
How do patients often identify the cause of their dysfunction?
Through a sudden high-velocity movement
What is a crucial consideration for clinicians when evaluating patients with myofascial trigger points?
The possibility of neuropathic origin
What is the characteristic sensation reported by patients with myofascial trigger points?
Pain, burning sensation, and tenderness
What is the term for the pattern of pain distribution from a myofascial trigger point?
Referred pain pattern
What can facilitate the activation of myofascial trigger points?
Central or peripheral nerve compression
What is the term for the location where pain is referred from a trigger point?
Reference zone
What is the primary mechanism of myofascial trigger point activation?
Repetitive motion and micro trauma
What is the term for the initial event that leads to the activation of a myofascial trigger point?
Onset
What is a key factor in identifying the appropriate muscle to treat?
Referred pain pattern
Study Notes
Characteristics of Trigger Points
- Patients with trigger points often report regional, persistent pain that results in a decreased range of motion of the affected muscle.
- The muscles most commonly affected are those used to maintain body posture, such as the neck, shoulders, and pelvic girdle muscles.
- Pain is usually constant and reproducible, but does not follow a dermatomal or nerve root distribution.
Symptoms of Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Head and neck region: tension headache, tinnitus, temporomandibular joint pain, eye symptoms, and torticollis.
- Upper limb pain: referred pain, may resemble visceral pain or mimic tendonitis and bursitis.
- Lower extremities: pain in the quadriceps and calf muscles, leading to limited range of motion in the knee and ankle.
Types of Trigger Points
- Active Trigger Points: produce pain without digital compression, tender upon palpation, and impede muscle flexibility.
- Latent Trigger Points: silent, tender upon palpation, and may produce referred pain pattern only with ischemic compression.
- Satellite Trigger Points: develop in the same muscle or synergistic muscles, and usually resolve once the primary trigger point is resolved.
- Central Trigger Points: closely associated with dysfunctional endplates, located near the center of muscle fibers.
- Attachment Trigger Points: at the musculo-tendinous junction and/or osseous attachment of the muscle, causing enthesopathy.
Onset of Trigger Points
- Activation of myofascial trigger points is associated with micro-trauma, which can occur through repetitive motion or postural stresses.
- Patients may identify the cause of the dysfunction, especially if related to a sudden high-velocity movement or unusual activity.
Local Pain and Referred Pain Patterns
- Patients frequently complain of pain, burning sensation, and tenderness on the involved muscle.
- Myofascial trigger points refer pain to distal or proximal locations in specific patterns characteristic for each muscle, known as referred pain patterns (RPP).
Characteristics of Trigger Points
- Patients with trigger points often report regional, persistent pain that results in a decreased range of motion of the affected muscle.
- The muscles most commonly affected are those used to maintain body posture, such as the neck, shoulders, and pelvic girdle muscles.
- Pain is usually constant and reproducible, but does not follow a dermatomal or nerve root distribution.
Symptoms of Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Head and neck region: tension headache, tinnitus, temporomandibular joint pain, eye symptoms, and torticollis.
- Upper limb pain: referred pain, may resemble visceral pain or mimic tendonitis and bursitis.
- Lower extremities: pain in the quadriceps and calf muscles, leading to limited range of motion in the knee and ankle.
Types of Trigger Points
- Active Trigger Points: produce pain without digital compression, tender upon palpation, and impede muscle flexibility.
- Latent Trigger Points: silent, tender upon palpation, and may produce referred pain pattern only with ischemic compression.
- Satellite Trigger Points: develop in the same muscle or synergistic muscles, and usually resolve once the primary trigger point is resolved.
- Central Trigger Points: closely associated with dysfunctional endplates, located near the center of muscle fibers.
- Attachment Trigger Points: at the musculo-tendinous junction and/or osseous attachment of the muscle, causing enthesopathy.
Onset of Trigger Points
- Activation of myofascial trigger points is associated with micro-trauma, which can occur through repetitive motion or postural stresses.
- Patients may identify the cause of the dysfunction, especially if related to a sudden high-velocity movement or unusual activity.
Local Pain and Referred Pain Patterns
- Patients frequently complain of pain, burning sensation, and tenderness on the involved muscle.
- Myofascial trigger points refer pain to distal or proximal locations in specific patterns characteristic for each muscle, known as referred pain patterns (RPP).
Learn about trigger points in physical therapy, including their effects on muscle range of motion and posture, and common affected muscles.
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