cervical examination for myofacial pain

[SagarNaik]

dear sagar,

thank you for defining trigger point and tenderness .

let me copy your definition and ask for your explanation on hyperirritable spots.

Definition of Trigger Point - Trigger points are described as hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers (Wikipedia).

well my question is how would you describe the hyperirritable spots??? please dont mention about the palpable nodules / taut bands - which I am sure as practicing PTs we are all aware of as associated signs, but only on "hyperirritable" spots,

preferably without using similar words like pain/tenderness/ache/soreness/twinge/hurt/sting/smarting/throbbing/pricking/burning/stinging/thorny/spiky etc.

looking forward to your reply.

cheers,

thomas

Let me put the classic difference between Trigger Point and Tender Point defined by American Academy of Family Physicians.

Active Trigger Point is tender to palpation with a referred pain pattern that is similar to the patient’s pain complaint. This referred pain is felt not at the site of the trigger-point origin, but remote from it. The pain is often described as spreading or radiating. Referred pain is an important characteristic of a trigger point. It differentiates a trigger point from a tender point, which is associated with pain at the site of palpation only.

For complete reading please find the attached article. I have highlighted difference for you so that it would be easy.

Waiting for your views.

[davidc]

trigger point is it fact or fantacy.
We treat "it".
Sure, maybe its a placebo effect. But if the outcome is a patient that feels better and functions better, and the risks of hurting the patient are minimal, why not continue well-established therapies and also continue to discover their physiologic basis.
But my original question is how to we EXAMINE the neck to gather enough info to make an educated , calculated diagnosis on what to base our treatment.
Is there a standard protocol anyone is using?
Can one do a cervical exam without including shoulder or upper back?
How can one rule out referred cervical pain?
With regard ro the trigger point my gut feeling is that the answer is chemical and Nano technology is the answer,
david