Test Your Knowledge Of Trigger Points

Active TrPs are trigger points that cause immediate pain or referral pain without palpation. These trigger points are actively firing and can be identified by the presence of a taut band of muscle fibers and a localized twitch response when palpated. They are often associated with muscle overuse, injury, or chronic conditions, and can cause pain both at the site of the trigger point and in other areas of the body.

Trigger points are areas of tight muscle fibers that can cause pain and discomfort. In this context, the statement suggests that these trigger points only cause pain when they are pressed. The term "latent" means hidden or dormant, which aligns with the idea that the trigger points are not actively causing pain unless pressure is applied to them. Therefore, "latent" is the correct answer.

This statement is not true. Trigger points are actually areas of tight muscle fibers that can form in the body due to muscle overuse, injury, or stress. They are not something that everyone is born with.

The human body contains 696 muscles. Muscles are responsible for movement, stability, and maintaining posture. They are found throughout the body, from head to toe, and vary in size and function. Muscles can be voluntary (under conscious control) or involuntary (not under conscious control). With 696 muscles, the human body has a complex system that allows for various types of movement and bodily functions.

The pectineus muscle is not a common cause of lower back pain. It is a small muscle located in the groin area and is primarily involved in hip flexion and adduction. Lower back pain is often caused by trigger points in muscles such as the multifidi, iliopsoas, gluteus medius, and rectus abdominis. These muscles play a significant role in stabilizing the spine and supporting proper posture. However, the pectineus muscle is not directly connected to the lower back and is therefore unlikely to be a primary cause of lower back pain.

The correct answer is "tender points" because fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by widespread pain and tenderness in specific areas of the body. These tender points are located in various parts of the body, such as the neck, shoulders, chest, hips, and knees. When pressure is applied to these tender points, it can cause pain and discomfort. Therefore, the presence of tender points is often used as a diagnostic criterion for fibromyalgia.

Janet Travell was one of the biggest influences behind finding and researching trigger points. She was a physician and expert in pain management, particularly known for her work on myofascial pain syndrome. Travell's extensive research and clinical experience led her to identify and map out trigger points, which are hyperirritable spots in muscles that can cause pain and refer pain to other areas of the body. Her findings and techniques have greatly contributed to the understanding and treatment of trigger point-related pain.

Skeletal muscles are responsible for the movement of the body and are attached to the bones. They are the largest type of muscle in the body and make up approximately 40% of body weight. This means that almost half of a person's weight is due to skeletal muscles.

Heat is not typically used as a tool to treat trigger points. Trigger points are tight knots of muscle fibers that can cause pain and discomfort. The most commonly used tools to treat trigger points include T-bars, thumbs, elbows, and pincer-grips. These tools are used to apply pressure and release tension in the affected muscles. Heat, on the other hand, is often used for general muscle relaxation and to improve blood circulation, but it is not specifically targeted at treating trigger points.

Skeletal muscles account for approximately 85% of human pain complaints. This suggests that a large majority of pain experienced by individuals is attributed to issues or injuries related to the skeletal muscles. This could be due to various factors such as muscle strains, sprains, overuse, or other conditions that affect the muscles. Understanding the high prevalence of skeletal muscle-related pain can help healthcare professionals in diagnosing and treating these conditions effectively.