What is the difference between active and latent trigger points?
Active trigger points are typically very tender, and cause localized and referred pain patterns. They also restrict motion. Latent trigger points used to be active, and continue as a residual effect from a previous injury. They are not generally tender with soft pressure, yet they restrict motion and generate pain after over-stretching or after a particular exercise that over-works the muscle. This could be the chronic shoulder, elbow, or back pain that “acts up” after physical activity of one sort or another. Latent trigger points also cause some or most of the increased soreness of a pain flare after physical activity.
