Myofascial Trigger Points: Hidden Culprit Behind Back Pain
Myofascial Trigger Points: Hidden Culprit Behind Back Pain
Back pain is a prevalent disorder, and more frequently than not, we tend to blame a pinched nerve, herniated disc or arthritis as the cause of the pain. Clinically, however, the majority of back pain is a result of muscle dysfunction and imbalance. A large proportion of back pain is, therefore, the result of the presence of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). When MTrPs are the cause of muscle pain, we refer to this type of pain as myofascial pain syndrome. In rare cases, the pain may be a result of the problem in the spine itself. However, even in this scenario, the presence of myofascial trigger points in the surrounding musculature is seen as one of the significant contributors to worsening back pain.
Clinical experience and research suggest that the presence of trigger points leads to muscle shortening. When muscles shorten, they become less flexible and less responsive to daily demands during physical activities. The affected individual becomes stiffer, and tension begins to build up in the muscles of the back. The pressure will eventually transfer to the discs in the spine. Maintaining muscle tension over the spinal discs may ultimately result in the rupturing of the disc or disc herniation. The presence of trigger points in the shortened muscles can, therefore, be the very root cause of the spinal problems. Additionally, muscles that become short and tight can displace vertebrae and cause compression of nerves.
Buttock and hip painIndividuals experiencing pain in the buttock and hip muscles are usually concerned only with the muscles in the buttock and the hip joint itself. Knowing that the referral pattern of the trigger points in the back muscles includes the buttock and the hips may help to identify the real source of the pain in the buttock or the hip joint.
Many patients present to the clinic with lower back pain pointing to the base of their spine. Pain in the sacrum or tail bone is another joint presentation of back pain. While the pain can originate in the tail bone, frequently, the source may originate from muscles located much higher. Quadratus Lumborum, superficial spinal muscles as well as the gluteal muscles are frequent harbingers of trigger points which tend to refer pain to the area of the sacrum. The trigger points in these muscles can be very tender to palpation. If the pressure over these trigger points further aggravates the pain in the sacrum, it is yet another reason for considering them as the main culprit. Massaging these trigger points can, therefore, bring significant pain relief in the sacral area. When massaging trigger points in these muscles do not completely resolve the pain or the pain tends to reoccur, chiropractic adjustment of the sacrum may be needed. In this case, massaging the trigger points in the Quadratus Lumborum, Superficial Spinal Muscles and the Gluteal Muscles before the chiropractic adjustment will make the chiropractic adjustment more effective.
The basic approach to self-acupressureSelf-acupressure targeting trigger points is a non-invasive, free of side effects, and straightforward treatment method. It can be adopted and used by every person suffering from back pain. Self-acupressure can be applied to affected muscles several times a day at home or in the workplace. Carrying a lacrosse ball, tennis ball or baseball ball along with you can, therefore, allow for short and frequent treatments throughout the day to ease the pain and promote faster recovery. Targeting the most painful trigger points several times a day with short self-treatment sessions is the most effective way to treat trigger points. Successful management of back pain should, therefore, include the regular application of self-acupressure.
You can find more information about acupressure , other treatment modalities and learn the complete home treatment protocol for the management of myofascial pain in the section Treatment Options.
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Gluteus Medius and back pain: The Muscle that may cause your back pain
Buttock Muscles
Gluteus Medius
Location The gluteus medius muscle is one of the three gluteal muscles in the buttock. The other two gluteal muscles are gluteus minimus and gluteus maximus. Gluteus medius is located more in the outer part of the buttock and for the most part, it is covered by much larger Gluteus maximus. Gluteus medius is not covered by gluteus maximus at the upper outer portion of the buttock. This is the area where injections are usually administered.
FunctionGluteus medius is not a very big muscle, but it is a thick and strong muscle that plays an important function in allowing us to walk upright. With each step, the gluteus medius muscle on the supporting leg has to contract, to keep the opposite side of the pelvis from dropping down when we lift the opposite leg to make the next step. That translates to generating a force twice the bodyweight every time we take a step. It is not hard to imagine that this muscle tends to get severely overworked when we carry additional weight for prolonged periods of time. This is one of the reasons why many people present with worsening of their back pain after hiking with a heavy backpack or when ruck marching with full gear without proper train up. While it is not intuitive to associate buttock muscles with back pain, this muscle is one of the most important players in the low back pain.
Gluteus Medius and back pain
When gluteal muscles get severely overworked, they become tight and develop trigger points. At this point many people begin to waddle to transfer their body weight fully over the supporting leg when taking a step. This is simply a protective and compensatory mechanism since the gluteus muscles cannot fulfill their function of contracting and relaxing when walking. The reason why we may feel back pain when gluteus medius is affected, is because the trigger points in the gluteus medius refer pain into the lower back. (please see the images). Certainly, gluteus medius is not the only muscle responsible for back pain. More frequently than not, another muscle called Quadratus Lumborum is affected along with gluteus medius. These two muscles work in tandem and the referral pattern from their respective trigger points overlap. Therefore it is important to always check for presence of trigger points in both of these muscles. Quadratus Lumborum will be discussed in a separate section, but you may remember that one of the hallmarks of involved Quadratus Lumborum is pain when turning in the bed, when coughing or sneezing.
Most characteristic pain caused by trigger points in Gluteus MediusThe pain referred from trigger points in the gluteus medius is mostly felt right above the beltline, but strong sensation can be also felt in the sacral area (please see images). In many cases, pain in the outer part of the hip, known as trochanteric bursitis, has a strong component of involved gluteal muscles, and gluteus medius being one of the main muscles involved.
Location of trigger points & Acupressure tips
To locate the trigger points in the gluteus medius, please refer to the detailed description below. In general, however, they can be found along the iliac cress which is the top part of the pelvic bone. The best way to deactivate the trigger points in the gluteus medius is by leaning against the wall and using a baseball or a tennis ball. Alternately, you can place the ball on the floor and lay down on top of the ball to create more pressure. Using a foam roller is not the best method to address these trigger points, because the foam roller cannot deliver the specific pinpoint pressure through the layers of the fat tissue in the buttock muscles.
Summary
SymptomsPain in the lower back just above and below the beltline
Pain often extends into the buttock and hip
Pan in the hips can make it hard to find a comfortable sleeping position
Pain in both the hips & lower back can make walking almost impossible
Location of trigger points
Find the bony prominence above your groin (ASIS)
The first trigger point is about 2” behind ASIS
Locate the 2nd trigger point about 1 hand breath behind the 1st one
Find the 3rd trigger point next to the sacrum
Pain radiation
To the sacrum
The outer part of the hip
Buttock and lower back above the sacrum
Occasionally along the IT band & back of the thigh
Causes for development of trigger pointsObesity or pregnancy
Carrying heavy weight while walking
Weight lifting
Sitting on a wallet in the back pocket
Habitual weight bearing on one side
Carrying a child on the same hip
Trigger points self-acupressureLocate the 1st trigger point
Place the ball between the wall & the buttock
Move the ball horizontally over the tender spot
Find a new tender spot behind the 1st spot
Repeat rolling over the tender area
Find the 3rd spot next to the sacrum & repeat
General recommendationsMove ball over the tender area 15-20 times
Find a new spot & repeat the process
Apply this massage at least 2-3 x a day
Several short daily sessions are preferable
Do not apply very strong pressure
Follow up after trigger point massage The benefits of acupressure can be greatly enhanced with a few additional techniques applied after completion of acupressure. One of the most important modalities in the treatment of myofascial pain is heat. Application of moist heat to the area of trigger point after trigger point massage will dilate local blood vessels and improve blood circulation. Improved blood circulation helps to flush out the inflammatory substances which irritate local nerves and cause pain. Improved blood circulation will also promote healing and loosen up tight muscle tissue. Apply heating pad for 10-20 min, take a hot shower or bath. After massaging and warming up the muscles, you can gently stretch them. Stretching is another essential aspect for recovery from and prevention of muscle injuries. Lastly, apply topical analgesics such as Bengay or Tiger balm.
Acupressure
Stretching Exercises
