Fibromyalgia tender points
What are Fibromyalgia tender points?
Well, before getting the answer it is appropriate if we started by trying to identify what is Fibromyalgia. This is a medical disorder characterized by wide spread pain. Patients suffering from it complain of plain all over the body.
There has been controversy among the medics on whether to categorize Fibromyalgia as a disease since it presents with no specific symptoms. However, Fibromyalgia tender points play an important point in identifying this syndrome.
So what Fibromyalgia tender points?
Fibromyalgia tender points are basically very painful areas on the skin surface that are sensitive to the slightest pressure applied on them. They are mostly near joints this makes fibromyalgia to be closely related to arthritis. The Fibromyalgia tender points are very small in size and if pressed gently using a figure they tend to be more sensitive as compared to the surrounding areas.
Physical examination of Fibromyalgia tender points is the only way to diagnose the Fibromyalgia syndrome. Unfortunately not very many doctors know about Fibromyalgia tender points almost world wide. Most fibromyalgia would walk out of the hospital examination with a totally different diagnosis.
What are the common Fibromyalgia tender points?
There are approximately 18 known Fibromyalgia tender points in any patient presenting with Fibromyalgia. Upon examination of these patients at-least 11 Fibromyalgia tender points out of the 18 should be identified in a patient for them to be diagnosed positive.
Below is a list to help you understand the Fibromyalgia tender points:
- The first two Fibromyalgia tender points are on the front/anterior aspect of the neck around the cervical bone
- The other two Fibromyalgia tender points are on the back/posterior side of the neck. They are next to the occipital bone of the vertebrae bone.
- The 6th and the 7th Fibromyalgia tender points are located on the front side of the second rib separated by the sternum.
- The other two lie directly opposite the very ends of the two shoulders on the upper side.
- The 10th and the 11th Fibromyalgia tender points are located on the opposite sides of the scapular spine.
- Two more are located at the epicondyle bone (the elbow region). They are on the front side of the elbow if the palms are facing forward.
- The other two Fibromyalgia tender points are on the opposite sides of the belly.
- Two more are on the upper opposite ends of the gluteus muscle.
- Finally we have the other two Fibromyalgia tender points at the front lower aspects of the knee.
Well, you may have noticed that the Fibromyalgia tender points are all located near an area with a joint all though not at the joint. A doctor will only need 11 of these to diagnose you of the Fibromyalgia syndrome.
You can have the diagram below to help you identify the Fibromyalgia tender points better.
What causes Fibromyalgia tender points
It’s too sad that the cause behind Fibromyalgia tender points is yet to be identified. However their cause is not as a result of any inflammation or illness. This is because no research has been able to relate them to any cause.
Although a mystery Fibromyalgia tender points are still useful in diagnoses
