Fibromyalgia: Understanding Trigger Points and How to Cope

Getting the doctor to give a diagnosis of fibromyalgia can be difficult. Doctors have a checklist for tender points on the body when it comes to diagnosing fibromyalgia. When they are pressed, these tender points hurt.

But what if you hurt all over and not just in one spot? You need to look at trigger points instead of tender points.

Trigger points or TRPs are more than one “point.” They are more like a part of a “rubber” non-pliable band. TRPs can be dormant or active and occur due to myofascial constriction or muscle pain. Myofascial construction affects the connective tissue that covers your muscles. It can involve a single muscle or an entire muscle group. Trigger points radiate from the central part of a tender point included in the more vulnerable parts of the fibro body.

Where are trigger points located

Common trigger points can occur all over your body. Some specific points that are particularly painful include:

• Common fibromyalgia trigger points are around the sternum. Pain in the sternum mimics symptoms of a heart attack. If you are uncomfortable with this trigger point pain, there is no problem in going to the ER or a doctor.
• Another trigger point is known as costochondritis or pain around the rib area. This pain feels like burning and stabbing sensations in lower chest and ribs. When the pain is intense, you need move to a more comfortable position.
• Common trigger points are the hands and arms. We use these muscles every day and need to be careful about repetitive motions. Carpal tunnel syndrome can occur with excessive use of computers, cell phones, and heavy lifting. You can even get carpal tunnel when wearing watches and bracelets. These activities can cause nerve entrapment and activate trigger points.
• Trigger points include the back of the head, skull and neck area. These TRPs radiate pain from the back to the front of the head. They cause sinus pain, TMJ, and migraine headaches.
• Trigger points in our head area are caused mainly by the environment. Watch the toxins in your home, the people around you, or places you go regularly. It’s sad, but those with fibromyalgia are often aggravated by things around them and may not know it.
• Pain from environmental exposures feels just like pain from a physical injury. It might feel like pain that comes from a strain or injury, but the pain is actually from a toxic exposure that attacks your physical body. 
• Other trigger points that can be interrelated occur in the pelvic area and down your legs. Pelvic or abdominal congestion keeps pelvic pain from going. Having abdominal surgery increases the tendency for trigger points in the pelvic area.
• Bladder symptoms may be spasms or the need to urinate frequently. You might feel fullness in the pelvic area and not be able to urinate freely. You may feel fullness or retention in the bladder and lower abdomen. These are trigger points and can be very painful.

Read on to learn the other trigger points and for tips to help you overcome them.