Fibromyalgia Tender points and Trigger Points

Fibromyalgia is diagnosed by the use of tender points when a patient presents with chronic skelatal pain that cannot be diagnosed as any other condition. There are 18 of these points. It is important to differentiate the difference between trigger points and tender points. A trigger point not only hurts, but also causes pain in other areas of the body. A tender point hurts but does not cause diffuse pain. In some patients there is so much pain throughout their body they feel even air movement increases their pain. One description of fibromyalgia pain is that it feels like having a full body toothache or constant flu.

There are at least 18 points on the body that can react in a fibromyalgia sufferer. At different times, different points may react and at some times not all points will react. In addition, there are times when there is so much pain throughout the body it is hard to pinpoint where the pain originates. Usually eleven out of the eighteen are what is required for a fibromyalgia diagnosis, in conjunction with other studies.

Trigger points are palpated with four points located on the front collarbone, with two on each side. The second ribs at the front of the chest will respond to pressure. There are two tender points located at the back of the head on the base of the skull. Four tender points are located over the shoulders. The inside of the elbow joints are trigger points as well as both sides of the knees. The upper, outer areas of the buttocks as well as two at the rear hip area are also tender points.