Because they occur in pairs, the pain is usually distributed equally on both sides of the body. CMP has been called MPS or Myofascial Pain Syndrome in the past. A Trigger Point is a self-sustaining irritated spot in the muscle which causes the muscle to gradually become tighter and shorten. This limits the function and motion of the muscle causing weakness and pain.
Trigger points differ from tender points in that they refer the pain to other parts of the body.
So a TrP in your shoulder, may not hurt at the site, but the pain from the TrP will be evident in your hand. Trigger points can develop in the muscles from various insults to the body, such as a blow, broken bone, whiplash, surgery, immobilization, nutritional imbalance, chronic overuse and repetitive motion. Thanks to Dr. Janet Travell, we now know the specific pain patterns and symptoms caused by the specific trigger points. She also showed how to locate and treat these trigger points. Make sure that your therapist is well schooled in her work.