What is the relationship between tics and trigger points?
A tic is a sudden, repetitive, nonrhythmic, stereotyped motor movement or vocalization involving discrete muscle groups.[1][2] Tics can be invisible to the observer, such as abdominal tensing or toe crunching. Common motor and vocal tics are, respectively, eye blinking and throat clearing.[3] Movements of other movement disorders (for example, chorea, dystonia, myoclonus) must be distinguished from tics. Other conditions like autism and stereotypic movement disorder also include movements which may be confused with tics. Tics must also be distinguished from compulsions of OCD and seizure activity. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tic Trigger points are described as hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers. Trigger point researchers believe that palpable nodules are small contraction knots and a common cause of pain. Compression of a trigger point may elicit
