Trigger Points in Physical Therapy
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Trigger Points in Physical Therapy

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Questions and Answers

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 (correct)
  • Legs and arms
  • Abdominal muscles
  • Back muscles only
  • Myofascial pain syndrome with trigger points can manifest as eye symptoms.

    True

    Myofascial trigger points can refer pain to _________________ locations.

    <p>distal or proximal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the types of trigger points with their descriptions:

    <p>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</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary cause of myofascial trigger point activation?

    <p>Micro trauma resulting from repetitive motion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do patients often identify the cause of their dysfunction?

    <p>Through a sudden high-velocity movement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a crucial consideration for clinicians when evaluating patients with myofascial trigger points?

    <p>The possibility of neuropathic origin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic sensation reported by patients with myofascial trigger points?

    <p>Pain, burning sensation, and tenderness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the pattern of pain distribution from a myofascial trigger point?

    <p>Referred pain pattern</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can facilitate the activation of myofascial trigger points?

    <p>Central or peripheral nerve compression</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the location where pain is referred from a trigger point?

    <p>Reference zone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism of myofascial trigger point activation?

    <p>Repetitive motion and micro trauma</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the initial event that leads to the activation of a myofascial trigger point?

    <p>Onset</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key factor in identifying the appropriate muscle to treat?

    <p>Referred pain pattern</p> Signup and view all the answers

    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).

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    Description

    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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