Because there are so many events that cause trigger points to be created and to come back, almost everyone has some if not many! Poor posture, injuries and repetitive motion/movement are among the most common ways to create, activate and perpetuate them.Ĭompression of a trigger point will elicit mild to exquisite local tenderness, usually recreate the referred pain, and often elicit a local twitch response. Active Trigger points are a very common cause of pain, which can be mild to annoying to quite severe and even debilitating. Of course being evaluated and treated by a well trained myofascial trigger point therapist (link to NAMTPT) is the best way to find, treat and eliminate them.įirst, YES they are real! Trigger points are described as hypersensitive spots in skeletal muscle that are associated with palpable nodules (knots) in taut bands (ropes) of muscle fibers.

Thinking to look at the pain patterns, and searching for the offending muscle can save frustration, time and lots of money. Simons, MD Pioneer, researcher and leading expert in the field of pain management. 'Myofascial trigger points are unbelievably common, yet commonly overlooked .' - David G. Trigger points are so common that the possibility of them being the cause of the pain or dysfunction should be addressed early in the process of looking for the cause, not after everything else has been tried.

There are many muscles that can refer pain to the facial area.

The actual cause of the pain that is very often missed is the pain that is referred from myofascial trigger points in the muscles near and attached to the jaw. If your dental professionals have ruled out these more serious conditions, they are often at a loss as to the cause. Sometimes there are problems with the teeth, nerves, abscess/infection or damage to the disc in the TMJ that cause pain also.

Yes, your dental professional can often tell if you clench or grind even if you do not know you are doing it. Pain around the jaw area can be caused by many things, a problem in the jaw joint (Temporomandibular joint/TMJ) itself, which is often caused by physical trauma, clenching or grinding of the teeth and even stress. Jaw and Face Pain – What else could be the cause when the dentist and doctor say it is not my sinuses, teeth or jaw joint?

Travell and simons knee pain patterns