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Myofascial trigger points in early life

Mu-Jung Kao1, Ting-I Han, Ta-Shen Kuan

  • 1Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|February 3, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Latent myofascial trigger points (MTPs) were found in healthy adults but not in infants under one year old. This suggests MTPs may develop later in life, not present from birth.

Area of Science:

  • Pain research
  • Musculoskeletal health
  • Human physiology

Background:

  • Latent myofascial trigger points (MTPs) are sensitive areas in muscles that can cause pain.
  • Previous research has primarily focused on MTPs in adults, with limited understanding in infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and characteristics of latent MTPs in healthy infants and adults.
  • To compare the irritability of specific muscle sites between these age groups.

Main Methods:

  • A blind comparison study involving 60 healthy adults and 60 infants (0-12 months).
  • Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was measured using an algometer on the brachioradialis muscle.
  • Three sites were tested: a midpoint (presumed MTP site) and two other locations.

Main Results:

  • Adults showed significantly lower PPT at the midpoint, indicating higher irritability, and taut bands were observed.
  • Infants did not exhibit significant differences in PPT across the tested sites, and no taut bands were found.
  • These findings suggest a difference in MTP presence between adults and infants.

Conclusions:

  • The midpoint of the brachioradialis muscle in adults likely represents a latent MTP due to increased irritability.
  • Latent MTPs were not identifiable in infants under one year old in this study.
  • It is hypothesized that latent MTPs may develop over time rather than being present in early infancy.
Abstract

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