What are trigger points and how do they develop?
There are approximately 400 muscles in the human body, and any one of these can develop what is called a myofascial trigger point (TP). Trigger points are irritable spots within abnormally taut bands of muscle or fascia that, when pressed, cause local pain, as well as referred pain to somewhere else in the body. This referred pain is frequently what leads people to schedule an appointment with their doctor. The TPs of myofascial pain may occur for many different reasons. Direct trauma such as whiplash is a common cause. Frequently, overload of a muscle is the culprit. Overload occurs when a muscle is being used in an improper way, causing stress on the muscle fibers. These muscles will often respond by developing TPs. If this problem goes untreated for a period of time, compensation in multiple areas of the body can occur, making the problem widespread and complicated. When this occurs, it is frequently referred to as myofascial pain syndrome.
