Fibromyalgia: The 18 Pressure Points of Pain
One of the most common signs of having fibromyalgia is the tenderness that is felt throughout the body. While the person may feel pain in numerous areas of their bodies, there are 18 points within the body that are even more tender to the touch.
When these areas are touched, many people describe it feeling as though a hot iron has been placed on their body.
For others, when these areas are touched accidentally or on purpose it can be an incredibly feeling of pain that they rate as a ten on the pain scale used by medical professionals.
When going to a doctor about the pain, tenderness or numbness that you may have, it is these 18 points that the doctor is going to press to see how much pain, if any, that you have.
Leg Pain: 4 Pressure Points
The leg pain is often a complaint among those who already suffer with fibromyalgia. However, there are other four actual pressure points on the legs up to the buttocks that are going to be considered true pressure points. While the entire leg may feel the pain, it is these points that are responsible for the pain.
The Knee
The pressure point for the knee is not the actual knee cap. This location is actually the fat pad that is located next to the knee cap, close to the joint line.
This pressure point is on both inner knees, making for two pressure points. It is not uncommon to feel pain in one knee and not the other at first.
However, those who have suffered with this for several years eventually start to feel the pain in both legs in most cases.
The Upper Leg Under the Buttocks aka the Greater Trochanter
Located on the upper leg right below the buttocks, towards the outer part of the leg is one area that causes severe discomfort for fibromyalgia sufferers.
This is found on both sides of the body for another two pressure points. These are located on the outer, rear of the leg.
The pressure points in the leg are one of the main reasons that weakness, numbness and tingling are felt throughout the legs on occasion when suffering with fibromyalgia.
Arms: 2 Pressure Points
There are only two pressure points on the arms that often cause pain when touched. If the arm is lying straight, palms facing the ceiling, these two pressure points are on the outer arm, near the crease in the arm.
There is one on each arm for a total of two. In many cases in which people are diagnosed with fibromyalgia, it is the pressure points in the arms that made them notice the pain. Why is this?
Because it is a very sensitive area that we most likely do not hit on occasion, as we do our knees. Hence, when there is pain in this area, a person will notice straight away.
The Neck: 4 Pressure Points
There are four pressure points seen on the neck associated with fibromyalgia pain. The first two are located on the front of the body near the edges of the neck above the clavicle bone.
These are on the outside of the neck. Scientifically, they are called the anterior of the intertransverse spaces.
The other two pressure points are on the back of the neck, closer to the skull. These are called the subocciptial muscles insertions. They are grouped closer together near the center of the neck.
Upper Back and Shoulders: 4 Pressure Points
On the upper back, shoulder area, there are a total of four pressure points. This first point is on the right and left, accounting for two pressure points. These are called the trapezius.
They are located between the actual shoulder joint and the neck. They are often where people feel pain when they have tension headaches.
The other two points are called the supraspinatus. These are located right below the trapezius pressure points. And they are located closer to the spine.
When both pressure points are bothersome, this does account for the pain that many complain of throughout their neck and shoulders when they have a fibromyalgia flare up.
Lower Back and Buttocks: 2 Pressure Points
There is a total of 2 pressure points that are located on the back, right where the buttocks meet the back. These are called gluteal points.
These pressure points on both the left and right. In most cases, these points are responsible for the back pain a person has.
They can also be the one reason while seating in the same position for hours on end causes issues and pain for those who suffer with fibromyalgia.
Chest Area: 2 Pressure Points
There are 2 pressure points in the chest area that are located below the collarbone or clavicle bone. These are terms the second rib pressure points.
When these pressure points are an issue, the person may feel pain when using their arms, and for those who have severe fibromyalgia, it has not been unheard of for the person to complain that even breathing gives them pain throughout their bodies.
Causes and Size of Pressure Points
While one may think that these pressure points would have to be rather large to cause the pain that fibromyalgia sufferers have, this is not so.
In fact, most doctors would say that the pressure point is more around the size of a penny. While the person may have pain throughout their body, if a doctor were to press on one of these pressure points, the person would physically flinch back from the pain that this causes.
The reason for these pressure points is not known as this time. However, there has been enough studies to show that these pressure points are in these exact locations on those who do suffer with fibromyalgia.
It is interesting to note that studies have not seen inflammation of the tissues in the locations of these pressure points. However, they still produce more pain for those who suffer with this illness.
The good news is that doctors have found that these pressure points do respond to a heat and ice method, rest, exercise, and dealing with the fatigue the person may be feeling.