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

What is the most common location for trigger points to develop?

1. In well-conditioned muscles

2. In overused muscles

3. In relaxed muscles

4. In muscles that are stretched regularly

The correct answer is: In overused muscles

Trigger points are areas of muscle tissue that have become hyperirritable and can cause pain or discomfort. They often develop in overused muscles due to repetitive strain or excessive tension placed on them. When muscles are subjected to prolonged or repetitive activities without adequate rest or recovery, they can develop these trigger points as a response to the stress. In well-conditioned muscles, which are used regularly in a balanced manner, trigger points are less likely to develop because they are generally better adapted to physical demands. Muscles that are relaxed or regularly stretched are typically not under significant tension and thus are less prone to developing irritability that would lead to trigger points. Therefore, the nature of overused muscles makes them particularly susceptible to this condition, making this option the most accurate choice.