Page 7 of "The Biology of Trigger Points: What they are, what they do, and when and why they occur". Biology of Trigger Points: Introduction and Contents | Reference List Previous Page | Next Page

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Trigger Points: Referred Pain Active trigger points have more than just a local effect. The worst pain from trigger points may be experienced at the site of the trigger point, but surprisingly often, the pain is "sent" to some point in the musculo-tendinous unit above, below or even to the side of the trigger point. Many trigger points send their pain even further! - The Gluteus minimus is a case in point. If you were to apply pressure with thumb, finger or tennis ball to an active trigger point in the Gluteus minimus, you would swear that you were "pressing on the nerve". But that is not the case! The pain is sent via local nerves and central nervous system from the irritated trigger points that you are pressing on to the targeted tissues (see diagram). This pattern of referred pain, while not identical between individuals, is remarkably consistent across the human species. Diagram 1: Trigger Points in the Gluteus minimus and their combined pain referral patterns. Biology of Trigger Points: Referred Pain © Bruce Thomson Return to Top