Latent myofascial trigger points

[sdkashif]

Have a look first over the definition of Latent Myofascial trigger point.

A latent myofascial trigger point is a focus of hyper irritability in a muscle or its fascia that is clinically quiescent with respect to spontaneous pain; it is painful only when palpated. A latent trigger point may have all the characteristics of an active trigger point, from which it is to be distinguished.

So it is quite clear from the definition that latent trigger point may have all the characteristics of an active trigger point. An active trigger point causes pain. A latent trigger point is clinicaly silent with respect to pain, but may cause restriction of movement and weakness of the affected muscles. A latent trigger pooint may persist for years after recovering from injury; it produces the acute attack of pain, since minor over stretching, overuse or chilling of the muscle may suffice to reactivate it. Both active and latent trigger points cause dysfunction; only active trigger point cause pain. As activity becomes less strenous in the later years, individuals tend to exhibit chiefly the stiffness and restricted motion of latent TPs. Muscle strength becomes unreliable.e.g. things drop unexpectedly from patients grasp. Weakness of the muscle involved becomes evident when a maximum contraction efort produces less than normal strength. Weakness apparently is due to central inhibition that has developed to protect the muscle from a painful degree of contraction. The patient then substitute other muscles for the weak one., often unknowingly, e.g. carrying objects with non dominant, stronger arm. The weakness occurs without atrophy of muscles.

Have a look over some of the resources:

Myofascial Pain Syndromes by Dr Simon Strauss

Trigger Points (TrPs)

Comparison of the Local Tissue Milieu in Normal Muscle and Active and Latent Myofascial Trigger Points in the Upper Trapezius to the Local Tissue Milieu in a Normal Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle

Trigger point therapy

Latent myofascial trigger points in paraspinal muscles of patients with chronic pain

Trigger Point Wikipedia

Inter-therapist reliability in locating latent myofascial trigger points using palpation.

Myofascial trigger point Presentation

Repetitive Strain Injury and Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Differentiation of active and latent trigger points by thermography.

Trigger Points and Tender Points: Why the Difference Is Important to You

Myofascial Pain Syndromes and Trigger Point Injection Therapy

Comment on Gunn's ''Radiculopathy Model of Myofascial Trigger Points''

Trigger Points: Diagnosis and Management

Trigger point Therapy

National Association of Myofascial trigger points

Myofascial Barriers to Peak Athletic Performance

Myofascial trigger points, neck mobility and forward head posture in unilateral migraine

Trigger point Therapy

Repetitive Strain Injury and Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Trigger point Myofascial

Bodywork Therapies: Trigger Point / Myofascial Therapy

Enigmatic trigger often cause enigmatic musculoskeletal pain

Ultrasound Treatment of the Fibromyalgia Patients' Trigger Points Dr. Gina Honeyman-Lowe

[physioaz]

Thanks for so many references. It´s a matter I use to work and it's one of my interests. If I have time next weekend I w'll post some references too.

[mageshanand]

Hello Guys,

thanks a lot for all your wonderful posts, i haven't been around for some time, but all the posts were really useful, i am working on it, i will get to you guys with useful info with regard to whats happening with my study

[sweens]

Sdkashif you are indeed a legend. Great selection of links there. Thanks very much!

Sweens