Trigger points can be anywhere in the body. They are small “knots” in the muscle that can be painful to touch or even refer pain to other areas of the body. In reality, there isn’t great research on exactly what trigger points are. Previously, scientists thought that trigger points were areas in the muscle that were “over-contracting,” or specific areas in the muscle that were more overworked than others. But more recently EMG studies have shown that this isn’t true. Instead, we now think that there trigger points may be due to increased levels of inflammatory biomarkers in that area that is painful¹. Evidence has also shown us that trigger points, when active with high levels of these inflammatory chemicals, can refer pain to areas outside of the actual painful area. These types of trigger points are called “active.” In contrast, trigger points that are “latent,” or inactive, can still be painful, but more specifically when they are touched and in the area that is directly the problem².
Trigger points can be anywhere in any muscle in the body, including the pelvic floor. Although the muscles of the pelvic floor are relatively small in comparison to some muscles such as the large muscles of the legs or the back. Some therapists have described pelvic floor trigger points as feeling like “frozen peas” within the belly of the muscle. Working with a Pelvic Floor Physical therapist can help to get rid of these trigger points and reduce pain and symptoms³. Conversely, trigger points in areas outside of the pelvic floor can actually refer pain to the pelvic area. For example, the ilioinguinal nerve innervates both the abdominal muscles and internal oblique as well as the root of the penis (men) and the mons pubis (women). A trigger point in the oblique muscle could actually be causing your pelvic pain due to shared innervation! A visit to a pelvic floor physical therapist can help rule in or out these types of issues and whether they are directly from pelvic floor muscle tightness or referring pain to the pelvic area from somewhere else. So, if you are having pelvic pain, or pain in the groin, abdomen or upper thigh that you think may be related to your pelvic symptoms, trigger points release could help reduce your symptoms.
References:
Grosman-Rimon L, Parkinson W, Upadhye S, et al. Circulating biomarkers in acute myofascial pain: A case–control study. Sharma. VP, ed. Medicine. 2016;95(37):e4650. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004650.
Celik, D. and Mutlu, E. (2013). Clinical Implication of Latent Myofascial Trigger Point. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 17(8).
Cozean, N., & Cozean, J. (2016). The interstitial cystitis solution: A holistic plan for healing painful symptoms, resolving bladder and pelvic floor dysfunction, and taking back your life.