Multifidi and Rotatores - Trigger Point Anatomy       Trigger Points in Multifidi may be the cause of a high percentage of back pain, and may increase the chance of back injuries occurring The multifidus muscles help to take pressure off the vertebral discs so that our body weight can be well distributed along the spine. These muscles are a major contributor to neuromuscular efficiency of the “core.” The superficial muscle group keeps our spine straight while the deep muscle group contributes significantly to the stability of our spine. These two groups of multifidus muscles are recruited during many...

  Gluteus Maximus - Trigger Point Anatomy     Weak gluteal muscles can have wide-reaching implications up and down the kinetic chain The gluteus maximus plays a significant role in stabilizing both the sacroiliac joint and the knee joint. It does so by means of superior fibers, which attach to the aponeurosis of the sacrotuberous ligament, and inferior fibers, which attach anteriorly to the iliotibial band, providing tension down to the knee. Because the gluteus muscles are also called on to support and stabilize our core - they are called into action without our realizing it when we are sitting at...

  Hip Adductors - Trigger Point Anatomy     Tendinitis of the Adductor Muscles - The pain is similar to a groin strain but onset is gradual and chronic in nature Inflammation in the adductor muscle tendons or tendon sheaths due to overuse can cause pain in the groin area. Sprinting, football, soccer, hurdling and horse riding can all cause overuse in these muscles. Unresolved injuries such as groin strain can also lead to tendinitis. The adductor muscles include the pectineus, adductor longus, adductor brevis, gracilis and adductor magnus and the tendons of any of these may become inflamed. The...

  The Obliques - Trigger Point Anatomy      Trigger Points in the Obliques can be the Cause of Stomach, Chest, or Groin Pain The posterior fibers of the external oblique are usually overlapped by the latissimus dorsi, but in some cases there is a space between the two, known as the lumbar triangle, situated just above the iliac crest. The lumbar triangle is a weak point in the abdominal wall.   External Oblique - Common Trigger Point Sites   ORIGIN Lower eight ribs. INSERTION Anterior half of iliac crest, and into an abdominal aponeurosis that terminates in the linea alba...

Levator Scapulae - Trigger Point Anatomy     MET's are sometimes used by therapists in combination with trigger point therapy protocols Muscle Energy Techniques (MET's) emerged as a form of osteopathic manipulative diagnosis and treatment in which the client's muscles are actively used on request, from a precisely controlled position, in a specific direction, and against a distinctly executed counterforce from the practitioner.  MET Treatment for Levator Scapulae  For this treatment the client is supine. The therapist, while providing support, guides the client's head into a side bend, followed by flexion. If a resistance is felt prior to the chin touching the chest, this...