College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

What characteristic might indicate a trigger point in muscle tissue?

1. Pain at rest

2. Localized tenderness

3. Pain that radiates

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: All of the above

A trigger point in muscle tissue is typically characterized by localized tenderness, pain that radiates to other areas, and can sometimes be associated with discomfort even at rest. Localized tenderness is a hallmark of trigger points because they represent hyperirritable spots in the muscle that are extremely sensitive to touch and pressure. When palpated, these areas often elicit a palpable nodularity and can cause referred pain, which leads to the point about pain that radiates. This means that although the actual trigger point is in one muscle, the pain may be felt in another area that the muscle is connected to functionally. Additionally, pain at rest can signal the presence of a trigger point, particularly in cases where the muscle is in a shortened position or has been overused, leading to a constant state of irritation. Given that all these characteristics – localized tenderness, radiating pain, and the potential for pain at rest – can be present simultaneously in cases of trigger points, it is accurate to recognize that each element contributes to the overall identification of this condition in muscle tissue.