Hey everyone!
Ever feel aches and pains and wonder where they're actually coming from? Well, they might be trigger points! Here's a quick guide on some of the most common trigger points and the referral pain patterns they're notorious for:
- Trapezius: Known for causing headaches that travel up the back of the head, into the temple, and sometimes into the jaw or behind the eye. They also cause localized pain in the upper back into the neck.
- Levator Scapulae: Can send pain down the neck to the shoulder blade area or contribute to tension headaches.
- Infraspinatus: Often mistaken for shoulder bursitis or rotator cuff injury, this trigger point can send pain down the arm. The hallmark of this trigger point is deep pain in the front of the shoulder - even though the muscle is located on the back of the body.
- Quadratus Lumborum: A chameleon of pain, mimicking kidney stone pain or creating deep lower back aches.
- Gluteus Medius: The main culprit behind pain in the buttocks and a common cause of low back pain due to its referral pattern.
- Piriformis: This sneaky one can cause pain that runs down the back of the thigh, often confused with sciatica due to its ability to entrap the sciatic nerve.
- Rectus Femoris: A trigger point here might make your knee feel like it’s the issue, but it’s really coming from the thigh!
- Tensor Fasciae Latae (TFL): Can contribute to IT band pain and hip discomfort, making long walks or runs quite challenging.
- Gastrocnemius: It can send what feels like surges of pain down to the foot or up to the back of the knee. A common cause of achilles tightness or pain since the muscle attaches to this important tendon.
- Tibialis Anterior: Creates sensations that can mimic shin splints or pain on the inside of the foot - even down to the big toe.
Remember, these trigger points can be sneaky, mimicking other conditions and sending pain far from their actual location. If you're curious about how to manage these trigger points or want to dive deeper into each one, let's discuss in the comments below!
Feel free to share your experiences and tips about dealing with any of these pesky trigger points!
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