Latent myofascial trigger points

[MrPhysio+]

Hi,
As you correctly state, the research quoted regarding most trigger point discussions is old. As a Private practitioner in a rural area, it is difficult for me to engage in research without funding, plus the time constraints of running my clinic. That said, I was most encouraged recently whilst discussing treatments at the Sports Medicine Australia conference in Fiji, including trigger point dry needling therapy, that others are also finding the technique very helpful. I did not present my experience, but started to get the itch to do so. I was previously involved in using Laser for tinnitus, but the problems related to setting up a double blinded trial for tinnitus has come up against funding and research institute availability problems.
It was nice of you to ask re the research, however. A paper by Lisa Heuggennin (the spelling may be incorrect) from Melbourne University investigated previous research in trigger point definitions. As I have recently moved house and business, much of my literature remains in storage boxes, so I cannot be more specific at present.
Trigger point treatments have potential, in my opin, to be applied to a broad range of conditions. Knee osteoarthritis and meniscal pain for example.
Thanks for your interst.
MrPhysio+

[mageshanand]

hello there guys,

yes i am doing a research on Latent Myofascial trigger points, in the recent edition of Travell and Simons he has stated under Latent trigger points that the muscle would be weak but the literature reference he has given is a study which had subjects with active myofascial trigger point, i was wondering if the reason for weakness had more to it and more over a research done on active trigger points cannot be accounted for latent trigger points as well...

can you people give more thoughts on this....

[MrPhysio+]

Hi
Firstly, the definition of a latent as against active trigger point needs to be fully and accurately defined. Is a latent point actually there until it is active, or is it simply suppressed by more active points around it? Are weaknesses described in the muscle caused by previous injury, inhibition from elsewhere etc? The answers are not known, to my knowledge. We may be seeing a relationship that is not causal. Can a true latent point, if it exists, be accurately found?
In general, I cannot answer your question. As stated previously, I am more concerned regarding the active points and their symptoms, rather than latent. I have not seen weaknesses that I associate with latent triggers, but that may be my failing.
MrPhysio+

[jthdude]

It's possible that latent trigger points can become active or could it be that they are a stage of trigger points ie normal muscle > muscle tension and increased stiffness > latent trigger point > active trigger point.

if you are doing research it might be more clinically relevant to do it on active trigger points if you can find the participants because these are the ones that are symptomatic and more like to present to your clinic for treatment. latent trigger points should not be noticed by people normally. the prevalence of latent trigger points in a normal trigger point is pretty high (easier to find participants). if you palpate the upper trapezius, you'll probably find latent points in many. how much latent trigger points contribute to overall pain presentation of a patient is not really that clear. they cause pain when palpated, otherwise they are painless. however if there are microchanges in the muscle fibres, it may predispose the muscle to further damage or cause compensation at surrounding muscles.

what are you planning to research exactly or are u just looking for ideas? as far as treatment research is concerned, there is more literature on latent trigger points than active.

[mageshanand]

hello jthdude,

your final statement was quite catchy, did you say that there are more literature in terms of treatment of latent trigger points than active trigger points...., i would be very happy and glad if you would be kind enough to give me the references.

and as you rightly mentioned its easy to get patients with active trigger points and to my understanding about how it goes, its the latent trigger point that eventually flares up in to an active one and there after back to latent nodules again if not treated completely.....!

well i am interested to see how latent trigger points respond...as against a normal muscle,

and again pls do give me the references for the latent trigger points treatment....

[jthdude]

Try Fernadez-de-la-penas in pub med, he has done plenty on MTrP.

Fryer and Hodgson (2005). the effect of manual pressure release on myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius. Journal of Bodywork and Movement therapies.

Blanco RC et al. 2006. Change in active mouth opening following a single treatmetn of latent myofascial trigger points in the masseter muscle....journal of bodywork and movement therapies.

also try of interest for you would be
Lucas et al (2004). latent trigger points: their effects in muscle activation and movement efficiency. journal of bodywork and movement therapies.

try these for starters. if you find any others please let me know especially if there are articles that report ineffective treatments. hope these help you on your way.