Gluteus medius Supraspinatus

Near PSIS, refers pain to gluteal cleft, gluteal Felt as a deep ache in the mid deltoid region of
fold and sacroiliac joint. the shoulder, pain often extends down lateral
arm and upper forearm. Pain can concentrate
Mid iliac crest, refers pain to entire buttock and
at lateral epicondyle, rarely pain may extend to
posterior proximal thigh.
wrist.
Lateral iliac crest, refer pain over sacrum,
coccyx and gluteal cleft.

Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) Splenius capitus

Primary referral zones are over the mastoid MFTP’s are generally located in the muscle
process and supraorbital regions of the face. belly and refer pain over the posterior neck,
Referred pain from these trigger points can be above the ear, at the top of the head and on
misdiagnosed as tension headache. Referal rare occasion even to the supraorbital regions.
pain from the upper part of the SCM can cause
disequilibrium.

Gastrocnemius Quadratus lumborum

MFTP’s are usually located in the upper medial Three regions may develop MFTP’s
head, but may also occur in the lateral head.  Deep in the angle where the crest of
ilium and paraspinal muscle mass
Upper medial head, generally refers pain over
meet.
the medial calf and medial longitudinal arch of
 Inner crest of ilium where iliocostalis
the foot. lumborum fibres attach.
Medial lateral head, generally refers pain over  Angle where paraspinal muscles and
12th rib meet.
the local area superiorly and inferiorly on the
ipsilateral side. MFTP’s pain referral is felt in the hips, buttocks,
around SI joint or at the base of the spine.

Longissimus Iliopsoas

MFTP’s general radiate directly outward from MFTP’s have two common locations.
their location.
Upper muscle, refers pain to posterior low back
Thoracic MFTP’s may project laterally across and upper medial buttock.
the back of the chest and may spill over in to
Lower muscle, refer pain down anterior thigh
the anterior abdomen or up towards the back
and inguinal region.
of the shoulder.

Lumbar trigger points refer pain to the buttock

and sacroiliac region.
Extensor carpi radialis Deltoid

MFTP’s may develop in the proximal and MFTP’s generally originate in the muscle belly.
middle muscle belly.
Pain may radiate down the lateral aspect of the
Main referral pattern is initially pain over the arm.
lateral epicondyle, followed by pain radiating
down toward the forearm, wrist and posterior
hand.

Pectoralis Major Subscapularis

Pain may extend up over subclavicular area and Pain referral is generally over the posterior
may cover the entire ipsilateral pectoral and axillary fold and medial arm.
anterior deltoid region.
Sometimes pain referral extends down to wrist
Pain may radiate down the unlar side, forearm and over mid deltoid.
and hypothenar side of hand.

Pain from pectoralis major can mimic pain of a

heart attack.

Serratus anterior Gluteus maximus

MFTP’s pain referral is usually over the lateral MFTP’s are usually located in three areas
inferior portion of the scapula.  Adjacent to sacrum, refers pain to
gluteal cleft, gluteal fold and sacroiliac
When trigger points are present, may
joint.
experience pain in exhaling.
 Superior and ischial tuberosity, refers
Pain of serratus anterior trigger paints can be pain to entire buttock.
misinterpreted as symptoms of lung disease  Medial inferior fibres, refer pain to
coccyx and gluteal cleft.
and heart attacks.

Splenius Cervicus Suboccipitals

MFTP’s are generally located in the muscle MFTP’s refer head pain that may be difficult to
belly and refer pain over the posterior neck, localize. Pain is often described as being from
above the ear, at the top of the head and on the occiput to the eye and forehead area.
rare occasion even to the supraorbital regions.
MFTP’s typically occur when a person is
maintaining flexion or extension of the
associated joint for extended periods of time.

Often times MFTP’s in the suboccipital muscles

are often accompainied by MFTP’s in the
trapezius, sternocleidomastoid and the
splenius muscles.
Levator scapulare Upper trapezius

Primary location for the trigger point is at the Primary area of MFTP’s are just above the
angle of the neck. superior border of the scapula and just inferior
to the inferior angle of the scapula.
Secondary location for trigger point is just
superior to the scapular attachment of the Pain may be referred to posterolateral neck
muscle. and mastoid process.

Both primary and the secondary location May cause tension neck ache
trigger points refer pain to the angle of the
Intense pain may reach temples, back of eye
neck, with a spillover zone along the medial
and angle of jaw.
border of the scapula and also out to the
Pain can extend to occiput and can be
posterior shoulder.
accompanied by dizziness.

Infraspinatus Piriformis

MFTP’s occur mainly in the muscle belly. MFTP’s are usually located in two common
regions.
Pain may extend down the lateral aspect of the
arm and forearm, sometimes include the radial Medial muscle, refers pain down posterior
thigh and medial buttock.
half of the hand.
Lateral muscle, refers pain down the posterior
Less commonly pain may refer to suboccipital
thigh and lateral buttock.
and posterior cervical areas.

Rarely may refer pain over ipsilateral rhomboid

muscles.

Temporalis Gluteus Minimus

MFTP’s referral is typically above and below Located in two common regions.
and may also refer to the upper teeth.  Anterior muscle, refers pain down
lateral leg, thigh and medial buttock.
 Posterior muscle, refers pain down
posterior leg, thigh and medial buttock.

Tensor Fascia Lata

Most common MFTP is located in the superior

and anterior muscle belly.

Pain is usually referred to the hop joint, down

the lateral thigh to the knee.