Medical Conditions

Medical Conditions Guide

Important note: This listing of medical conditions with correlating muscles likely to have trigger points is NOT meant to imply that the trigger points are solely responsible for these medical conditions. Trigger points are often found in conjunction with medical conditions, including visceral disease and various syndromes, although the direct connection has not been thoroughly investigated. Possibly the trigger points are a symptom of changes in posture or activity due to the condition.

According to Travell & Simons it is also possible, in certain cases, that the referred pain caused by trigger points may be mistaken for a medical condition. Gout in the first joint of the big toe is a case in point; if a doctor diagnoses gout without any testing, the diagnosis may be faulty because a number of trigger points can cause chronic pain in the first joint of the big toe, but only gout will cause a rise in uric acid in the patient’s blood. It would seem appropriate, in the case of gout of the big toe, to have the blood test as well as address the trigger points that may be causing or adding to the pain.

The deactivation of trigger points associated with a condition, as a part of the overall treatment, may be helpful in the patient’s overall recovery because, if the condition causes trigger points, these trigger points may continue to exist and refer pain even after the chemical or surgical treatment has relieved the medical cause of the condition.

There is no evidence to suggest that harm can come from treating trigger points, except when the trigger point treatment is believed to be all that is necessary, stopping the patient from getting proper medical treatment.

Abdominal pain:

diffuse or in varying areas: rectus abdominis, external oblique, pyramidalis,

iliocostalis thoracis, multifidi

distention and excessive flatus: rectus abdominis, other abdominal muscles

low on side: latissimus dorsi

Achilles tendon, pain (other than inflamed tendinitis): soleus, gastrocnemius,

plantaris, tibialis posterior

Acromioclavicular separation: teres minor, infraspinatus

Adductor insertion avulsion syndrome: adductor longus, adductor brevis

Adductor tenoperiostitis: adductor group

Adhesive capsulitis or frozen shoulder: supraspinatus, subscapularis, biceps brachii

(long head)

Amputation of arm: scalene muscles

Anal region, aching pain: sphincter ani

Angina pain: scalene muscles, iliocostalis

Ankle and foot tendinitis, heel spur, plantar fasciitis, stress fracture, thrombosis,

phlebitis, strained ligament: soleus, tibialis posterior

Ankle equinus: gastrocnemius, soleus, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus

Ankle sprain: peroneal muscles; when pain is in the foot: extensor digitorum brevis,

extensor hallucis brevis, abductor hallucis, abductor digiti minimi, flexor

digitorum brevis, flexor hallucis brevis

Anorexia: upper abdominals

Antalgic gait: piriformis, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, pectineus

Anterior compartment syndrome: tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus,

extensor hallucis longus; predisposing: soleus, gastrocnemius

Anterior shin splints: tibialis anterior

Anxiety, hyperventilation: sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, levator scapulae,

suboccipital muscles, scalene muscles, diaphragm, intercostals, serratus

anterior, abdominals, quadratus lumborum

Aortic aneurysm: quadratus lumborum

Appendicitis-like pain: iliocostalis, mid-abdominals (right side) including rectus

abdominis, transversus, obliques, psoas minor

Arachnoiditis: gluteus medius

Arm and hand, restricted circulation: subclavius, pectoralis minor

Arthritis:

ankle: peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, peroneus tertius

back: deep spinal muscles, quadratus lumborum

fingers: flexor digitorum; interosseus muscles

hip: piriformis, gluteus minimus, gluteus maximus, adductor group, pectineus

jaw: lateral pterygoid

knee: hamstrings

knuckles of hand: extensor digitorum, interosseus muscles

neck: semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, longissimus capitis, multifidi,

rotatores, supraspinatus

sacroiliac: piriformis, tensor fasciae latae

shoulder: scalene muscles, pectoralis major, supraspinatus, infraspinatus,

teres minor, subscapularis, deltoid, triceps brachii

sternoclavicular joint: sternocleidomastoid

temporomandibular joint: lateral pterygoid

Asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, emphysema, smoker’s cough: serratus posterior

superior, sternocleidomastoid

Ataxia affecting the head: sternocleidomastoid (clavicular)

Ataxic gait, with foot numbness causing loss of position sense: piriformis

Atrophy of gluteal muscles: piriformis

Atypical facial neuralgia: sternocleidomastoid

Bicipital tendinitis: infraspinatus, subscapularis, latissimus dorsi

Bladder pain or dysfunction: adductor magnus, internal oblique

Bouchard’s nodes (bumps on the middle knuckles): interossei of the hand

Bowel movements, painful: sphincter ani, levator ani

Brachial neuritis: supraspinatus

Brachial plexus injury: supraspinatus

Bronchitis without positive tests of infection: sternalis, pectoralis major,

sternocleidomastoid, serratus anterior

Bruxing or chronic clenching of teeth: masseter, temporalis, medial pterygoid,

lateral pterygoid, digastric

Buttocks (see also Pain Index, Buttocks):

any pain or other symptoms: piriformis almost always involved

diffuse tenderness: gluteus minimus

stiff (hard to get out of chair): gluteus maximus, gluteus minimus, piriformis

Bursitis:

hip: quadratus lumborum, gluteus maximus, tensor fasciae latae

shoulder, subdeltoid: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor

Calcaneal compartment syndrome: quadratus plantae

Carpal tunnel syndrome or peripheral neuropathy (pain, numbness, tingling,

stiffness, burning, or swelling in the hands and fingers): scalene muscles,

brachialis, pectoralis minor, triceps, flexor digitorum

Carotid artery compression: stylohyoid

Cast:

ankle: peroneal muscles, gastrocnemius, extensor digitorum longus, extensor

hallucis longus, see also “foot” below

arm: subscapularis

foot: extensor digitorum brevis, extensor hallucis brevis, abductor hallucis,

flexor digitorum brevis, abductor digiti minimi, quadratus plantae,

flexor hallucis brevis, adductor hallucis, flexor digiti minimi brevis,

interossei

knee or leg: popliteus, plantaris

Cervical articular dysfunctions, especially chronic: splenius capitis, splenius cervicis,

semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, multifidi, rotatores, suboccipital

muscles, scalene muscles, supraspinatus

Cervical osteoarthritis or spurs: supraspinatus, semispinalis capitis, other posterior

cervical muscles

Cervical post-laminectomy syndrome: posterior cervical muscles

Cervical radiculopathy and/or articular dysfunction:

and atypical facial neuralgia: trapezius (point 1), posterior cervical muscles

C5-C6: supraspinatus

C6-7: teres major

C7: subscapularis, latissimus dorsi

C7 - T5 (occasionally including central dysfunction, usually around T3): rhomboid muscles

C8: teres minor, infraspinatus

Chest pain, like angina pain: scalene muscles

Chest surgery: diaphragm, intercostals, rhomboid muscles

Childbirth: abdominals, iliopsoas, intrapelvic muscles

Chondromalacia patellae: quadriceps femoris

Chronic fatigue, in association with round-shouldered posture: pectoralis major

Claw toes: flexor digitorum brevis, extensor digitorum longus, quadratus plantae

Coccygodynia or levator ani syndrome: levator ani, coccygeus, gluteus maximus,

piriformis

Colic, abdominal distress: rectus abdominis

Compartment syndrome, anterior: tibialis anterior; superficial posterior: soleus, gastrocnemius; deep posterior: tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, popliteus

Constipation, painful bowel movements: iliopsoas

Coracoid pressure syndrome: pectoralis minor, latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major

Costochondritis, inflammation of the ribs, or supposed separated rib might be:

diaphragm, intercostals

Coughing: scalene muscles

Cramps, nocturnal in calf: gastrocnemius

Crutches, use of: gluteus minimus, latissimus dorsi

Deafness, hearing loss: sternocleidomastoid (clavicular), masseter

Deep vein thrombosis of the calf, especially without redness and warmth: soleus

Degenerated cervical vertebra or collapsed disc: scalene muscles

Dental infection or inflammation (pulpitis, apical inflammation of the periodontal ligament): masseter, temporalis

Depression: scalene muscles

Diabetes injection of insulin into thigh: rectus femoris, vastus lateralis

Diarrhea, chronic: mid-abdominals

Digestion dysfunction or pain, including vomiting, nausea, indigestion, fullness, heartburn or acid reflux: pectoralis major, sternalis, rectus abdominis,

external oblique

Diverticulitis: quadratus lumborum

Distorted perception: sternocleidomastoid (clavicular); distorted weight perception,

sternocleidomastoid (sternal and clavicular),

Dizziness that can last minutes, hours, days, like Ménière’s disease:

sternocleidomastoid (clavicular), trapezius (point 1), serratus anterior

Dorsiflexion of foot difficult: extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus,

peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, peroneus tertius

Dupuytren’s contracture (fourth and fifth fingers curled, won’t straighten): palmaris

longus

Dyspareunia (vaginal pain during intercourse): piriformis; with aching pain in the

perineal region: bulbosponsiosus

Eagle Syndrome, or elongated styloid process: digastric (posterior), stylohyoid,

sternocleidomastoid, mylohyoid, longus colli

Ear pain:

deep: sternocleidomastoid (clavicular)

unexplained origin: lateral pterygoid, masseter, sternocleidomastoid

(clavicular), medial pterygoid, digastric, suprahyoid group, infrahyoid

group, longus colli

with stuffiness or the sound of low roaring: masseter, pterygoids

Endometriosis: mid- and lower-abdominals

Esophagitis: pectoralis major, sternalis, rectus abdominis, external oblique

Eversion of foot difficult: extensor digitorum longus, peroneus longus, peroneus

brevis, peroneus tertius

Eyelid not closing completely: orbicularis oculi

Failed surgical back syndrome: quadratus lumborum

Fainting: sternocleidomastoid (clavicular)

Feet, sore, often causing limping: extensor digitorum brevis, extensor hallucis

brevis, abductor hallucis, flexor digitorum brevis, abductor digiti minimi,

quadratus plantae, flexor hallucis brevis, adductor hallucis, flexor digiti

minimi brevis, interossei

Feet with poor circulation: quadratus plantae, flexor hallucis brevis, adductor

hallucis, flexor digiti minimi brevis, interossei

Fibromyalgia: patients commonly also have trigger points exacerbating their pain

symptoms

Foot drop, weakness of dorsiflexion at ankle: piriformis

Frozen shoulder: teres major, latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, subscapularis,

supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor (see Frozen Shoulder)

Gallstones: upper abdominals, quadratus lumborum

Genital or groin pain: lower abdominals, iliopsoas, piriformis, intrapelvic muscles

Glaucoma (straining to see): occipitalis

Glossodynia: digastric (anterior)

Golfer’s elbow (see also Tennis elbow): triceps brachii, extensor carpi radialis

longus

Gout, or pain in big toe and head of first metatarsal: tibialis anterior, extensor

hallucis longus, flexor hallucis longus, quadratus plantae, flexor hallucis

brevis, adductor hallucis, flexor digiti minimi brevis, interossei

Groin pull, or deep ache in groin: pectineus, psoas, gracilis, adductors

“Growing pains” in children:

in knees: vastus lateralis, other quadriceps femoris

in lower legs: tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, soleus, extensor digitorum

longus, extensor hallucis longus

in hips and thighs: adductors, hamstrings

Gum pain, upper gum: buccinator

Gynecological problems: psoas, lower abdominals, adductors, adductor magus,

intrapelvic muscles

Hallux valgus: adductor hallucis, flexor hallucis longus, flexor hallucis brevis

Hammer toes: flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum

longus, extensor digitorum brevis, lumbricals, interossei

Hay fever or chronic cold symptoms (see also Sinus): sternocleidomastoid

Headache: (see also: Headache on “Pain” list)

cervicogenic: temporalis, semispinalis capitis, trapezius (point 1, 2), splenius

capitis, masseter, suboccipitals

tension type: trapezius (point 1), masseter, temporalis, orbicularis oculi,

buccinator, zygomaticus major, occipitofrontalis, posterior cervical

muscles, suboccipital muscles

vascular: sternocleidomastoid

Heart arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat: pectoralis major (lower border on right

side only, not on left side)

Heart attack symptom of pain in left shoulder and arm: pectoralis major, pectoralis

minor, sternalis, serratus anterior, upper rectus abdominis, iliocostalis

thoracis (all on left side)

Heart disease can cause trigger points after recovery in: pectoralis major, sternalis

Heberden’s nodes (bumps on distal finger joints): interossei

Heel spur: quadratus plantae, soleus, abductor hallucis

Hemiplegia, shoulder girdle pain: trapezius, scalene muscles, supraspinatus,

infraspinatus, subscapularis

Herniated intervertebral disc: piriformis

Herpes simplex, recurrent: sternocleidomastoid, masseter

Hiatal hernia: upper abdominals

Hip buckling: rectus femoris, vastus intermedius

Hip joint disease and hip replacement: piriformis, pectineus, rectus femoris, vastus

Lateralis, adductor group

Hyperuricemia causes a tendency to have trigger points, particularly in: tibialis

posterior

Hyperventilation: scalene muscles, serratus anterior, serratus posterior superior,

diaphragm, intercostals

Hypothyroid, marginal or definite: makes muscles easily cooled by drafts, activating

trigger points in any muscle, in particular: temporalis

Hysterectomy, pain afterward: vaginal wall,

Iliopsoas area tenderness or suspected abnormalities, such as hematoma, atrophy,

hypertrophy, neurofibroma, and bursitis: iliopsoas

Impotence in men, often with retro-scrotal pain and discomfort when sitting erect:

bulbospongiosus

Irritable bowel syndrome: rectus abdominis (periumbilical, lateral border), other

abdominal muscles, multifidi, iliocostalis thoracis

Iliac crest pain: longissimus at lowest rib

Impotence: intrapelvic muscles, piriformis

Indigestion, fullness, heartburn or acid reflux: rectus abdominis, external oblique

Infertility in women: coccygeus

Inguinal hernia: lower abdominals, adductor group

Insomnia: scalene muscles

Intercourse painful for women: pectineus, adductor longus, adductor brevis,

adductor magnus, piriformis (cramping in hip), bulbospongiosus

Intermittent claudication: gastrocnemius, soleus

Intestinal parasites: quadratus lumborum

Injection in hip: gluteus medius, gluteus maximus

Intervertebral discs, damage: deep spinal muscles (extreme tension), superficial

spinal muscles

Intervertebral disc disease of C5, C6, or C7: infraspinatus

Inversion of foot difficult: extensor hallucis longus

Jaw immobilized due to injury, head halter, or wired shut: masseter

Kidney stone: superficial spinal muscles, serratus posterior inferior, quadratus

lumborum

Knee:

avulsion of the popliteal tendon: popliteus

Baker’s cyst: popliteus

arthritis: hamstrings

wearing brace: popliteus, plantaris

buckling: vastus medialis; or: vastus intermedius with gastrocnemius

difficulty straightening: vastus intermedius

extension weak: rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius;

and painful: popliteus

inflammation of the joint: vastus medialis

instability, anteromedial and posterolateral: popliteus

knee-jerk reaction missing: rectus femoris

lateral pain on walking downhill: popliteus

meniscus tear: popliteus

popliteal cyst, ruptured: soleus, plantaris

popliteal tendinitis: popliteus

posterior capsule or cruciate ligament tear: popliteus

residual pain after plantaris tear: popliteus

tendinitis of the popliteus: popliteus

thrombosis of the popliteal vein: popliteus

Laminectomy: iliopsoas, gluteus minimus, piriformis, hamstrings, gastrocnemius, quadratus lumborum?

Lateral compartment syndrome: peroneal muscles

Leg immobilized: gastrocnemius

Leg length discrepancy: quadratus lumborum

Liver disease: quadratus lumborum

Lumbago: quadratus lumborum, gluteus medius

Lumbar discopathy, including narrowing of the disc space, degenerative changes,

spur formation, facet syndrome: piriformis, iliopsoas, tensor fasciae latae;

mid-lumbar spinal lesion: bilateral adductor longus

Lung disease, sinus infection, bronchitis without positive tests of infection: sternalis,

sternocleidomastoid (near lower attachment), pectoralis major, serratus

anterior

Mastectomy of heavy breast: scalene muscles

Ménière’s disease: sternocleidomastoid

Menstrual cramps or discomfort: lower abdominals, psoas, intrapelvic muscles,

adductor magnus

Meralgia paresthetica: tensor fasciae latae, sartorius

Mineral deficiencies of iron, calcium, and potassium cause a tendency to develop

trigger points in general.

Morton’s foot structure: abductor hallucis, adductor hallucis, flexor hallucis brevis,

abductor digiti minimi, peroneus brevis, peroneus longus, tibialis posterior,

flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, vastus medialis, sartorius,

tensor fasciae latae, piriformis, gluteus medius, trapezius, scalene muscles,

sternocleidomastoid, masseter

Motion sickness: sternocleidomastoid (clavicular)

Mouth, restricted opening: masseter, temporalis, digastric (posterior), zygomaticus

major

Multiple sclerosis: quadratus lumborum

Muscle strain of upper arm, front and back: scalene muscles

Myasthenia gravis: quadratus lumborum

Narrow palpebral fissure: sternocleidomastoid (sternal)

Nausea: sternocleidomastoid (clavicular)

Neck traction without occlusal splint: temporalis

Obstetrical surgery or prolonged procedure resulting in hip pain: piriformis

Obturator nerve entrapment: pectineus

Occipital neuralgia: trapezius (points 1, 2), semispinalis capitis, suboccipital muscles

Paradoxical breathing: scalene muscles

Patella locked: vastus lateralis

Patellofemorial dysfunction: quadriceps femoris

Pelvic pain, tension myalgia of the pelvic floor, or deep, sharp, sudden pain at pubic

bone, vagina, rectum, prostate, or bladder: adductor magnus (points near

ischial tuberosity), inrapelvic muscles

Pelvic surgery: intrapelvic muscles

Pelvis:

innominate up-slip: latissimus dorsi

sacroiliac dysfunction: quadratus lumborum

small hemipelvis: quadratus lumborum

tilted backward (flattened curve in low back): psoas minor

tilted forward (exaggerated curve in low back): psoas major

twisted: deep and superficial spinal muscles

Perineal pain: ischiocavernosus, bulbospongiosus

Peripheral artery disease: look for trigger points in any ischemic muscles, often:

gluteus medius, soleus

Phantom pain:

arm or hand: scalene muscles

leg: quadriceps femoris, hamstrings

Plantar fasciitis: quadratus plantae, flexor digitorum longus, ,flexor digitorum

brevis, abductor hallucis, flexor hallucis brevis, gastrocnemius, soleus

Plantar flexion difficult: peroneus longus

Polymyalgia rheumatica causes a tendency to develop trigger points, particularly in:

temporalis, trapezius, tibialis posterior

Post-laminectomy syndrome: piriformis

Proctalgia fugax: levator ani, other intrapelvic muscles, smooth muscle trigger

points in colon

Proprioceptive disturbances: sternocleidomastoid (clavicular)

Prostatitis: adductor group

Pseudo-disc syndrome (low back pain): quadratus lumborum

Pseudo-sciatica: piriformis, quadratus lumborum, gluteus minimus, gluteus medius,

gluteus maximus, hamstrings

Pseudo-thoracic outlet syndrome:

major points: pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, teres major, subscapularis

related points: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor

Ptosis of the eyelid: orbicularis oculi

Pubic stress fracture: adductor group

Pubic stress symphysitis: pectineus, adductor group

Quadriceps tendinitis: vastus lateralis

Quadrilateral space syndrome: teres minor, infraspinatus

Radiculopathy :

L5/S1: gluteus minimus, gastrocnemius, soleus

C5-C6: supraspinatus

C8: teres minor, infraspinatus

Rectal pain: levator ani; with heaviness, fullness, and/or occasional pain down back

of thigh: obturator internus

Restless arm and neck: scalene muscles

Restless leg syndrome: rectus femoris

Restricted circulation, arm and hand: subclavius

Rib, first rib elevated: omohyoid, longissimus capitis

Rib pain: superficial spinal muscles

Ribs, inhalation lesions of lower four: latissimus dorsi

Rotator cuff damage or pain: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor,

subscapularis

Sacroiliac joint disarticulation, chronic: deep spinal muscles, piriformis, gluteus

maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, hamstrings, soleus

Sacroiliitis: tensor fasciae latae

Sesamoid bone injury, at the great toe: flexor hallucis brevis

Scapulocostal syndrome: levator scapulae, rhomboid minor, subscapularis,

trapezius

Scapulohumeral syndrome: infraspinatus, pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, biceps

brachii (long head)

Sciatica: piriformis, quadratus lumborum, gluteus minimus, gluteus medius, gluteus

maximus, hamstrings

Scoliosis:

lateral curve of the spine in lumbar region: deep spinal muscles, quadratus

lumborum, iliopsoas

lateral curve in cervical region: sternocleidomastoid, scalene

muscles

lateral curve in upper thoracic: rhomboid muscles

twist in spine right or left: sternocleidomastoid, levator scapulae

Shin splints: tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, soleus, flexor digitorum longus

Shingles: diaphragm, intercostals

Shortness of breath: diaphragm, intercostal muscles, serratus anterior

Shoulder:

adhesions, adhesive capsulitis: infraspinatus, subscapularis

bursitis, tendinitis: trapezius (point 3), supraspinatus, scalene muscles,

pectoralis major, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis, biceps,

triceps brachii, deltoid

clicking or popping in joint: supraspinatus, subscapularis

Sinusitis: sternocleidomastoid, masseter

Smoking: diaphragm, intercostals, latissimus dorsi, serratus anterior, scalene

muscles, sternocleidomastoid

Soleus periostalgia syndrome: soleus

Sore throat when talking or singing: longus colli

Spinal disc problems, nerve compression in association with round-shouldered

posture: pectoralis major, iliopsoas

Spinal surgery, resulting in chronic pain in hip region: gluteus medius

Spinal tumors: quadratus lumborum

Sprained ankle: peroneus longus, peroneus brevis

Sprained wrist: extensor carpi ulnaris, flexor carpi radialis, opponens pollicis

Stiff neck syndrome: levator scapulae, splenius cervicis, scalenus medius, iliocostalis

cervicis, sternocleidomastoid

“Stitch” in the side from exertion: diaphragm, intercostal muscles

Stress, emotional duress: masseter, frontalis, sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, levator

scapulae, suboccipital muscles, scalene muscles, serratus anterior,

diaphragm, intercostals, abdominals, quadratus lumborum

Stress fracture of the tibia: tibialis anterior; of tibia or fibula: extensor digitorum

longus, extensor hallucis longus

Subacromial bursitis: teres major

Subdeltoid bursitis: supraspinatus, teres major

Suprascapular nerve entrapment, similar symptoms: latissimus dorsi

Supraspinatus tendinitis: teres major

Swallowing and chewing:

difficulty moving food around the mouth: buccinator

difficulty swallowing, lump in throat: digastric (posterior), longus capitis,

longus colli

pain on swallowing: digastric, mylohyoid

Swelling in hands and fingers, ulnar side: scalene muscles (compressing axillary

vein)

Syncope following turning of the head: sternocleidomastoid (clavicular)

Systremma: gastrocnemius

Tarsal tunnel syndrome: flexor digitorum longus

Temporal tendinitis: temporalis

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction: masseter, medial pterygoid, lateral

pterygoid, temporalis, buccinator

Tendinitis of ankle: extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus, peroneus

longus, peroneus brevis, peroneus tertius, tibialis posterior

Tendinitis of patellar ligament, or “jumper’s knee:” quadriceps femoris

Tennis elbow or epicondylitis: triceps brachii, supraspinatus, extensor carpi radialis

longus, anconeus, brachioradialis

Thoracic outlet syndrome: (see also Pseudo-thoracic outlet syndrome)

major points: scalenus anterior, scalenus medius, pectoralis minor,

subclavius

related points: sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, splenius capitis,

omohyoid, pectoralis major, triceps brachii, deltoid, brachialis,

extensor carpi radialis, extensor digitorum, extensor carpi ulnaris,

brachioradialis

Thumb sucking after infancy: medial pterygoid, masseter

Thyroid deficiency: quadratus lumborum; tendency to have trigger points in general

Tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction: tibialis posterior

Tic douloureux: sternocleidomastoid, lateral pterygoid

Tinnitus: sternocleidomastoid, masseter

Tongue pain when swallowing: sternocleidomastoid (sternal), mylohyoid

Toothache, pulpitis: masseter, temporalis

Torticollis, congenital or spasmodic: sternocleidomastoid, splenius cervicis, splenius capitis, levator scapulae, upper trapezius

Trigeminal neuralgia: sternocleidomastoid (sternal)

Trigger finger: fascial sheath of flexor digitorum (use deep massage to a tender spot

on the palm side of the knuckle where the finger joins the hand), interossei

Trismus (spasm of masticatory muscles): masseter, zygomaticus major

Trochanteric bursitis: gluteus maximus, gluteus minimus, tensor fasciae latae,

vastus lateralis

Ulcer, stomach, gallbladder pain: upper abdominals, diaphragm, intercostals

Ulnar neuropathy: teres minor, infraspinatus, latissimus dorsi

Urinary problems, spasms, retention, bed-wetting: lower abdominals, intrapelvic

muscles, quadratus lumborum

Urological surgery or prolonged procedure resulting in hip pain: piriformis

Vaginal pain: bulbosponsiosus, obturator internus, levator ani

Varicose veins: soleus

Viral infections cause a tendency to develop trigger points, particularly in:

gastrocnemius

Vision disturbances:

dimmed, blurred or double vision: sternocleidomastoid (sternal), splenius

cervicis

poor acuity: occipitalis

print jumps on page: orbicularis oculi

Vitamin deficiencies of C and B complex cause a tendency to develop trigger points

in general.

Vomiting, nausea: upper abdominals

Wasting away of gluteal muscles: piriformis

Whiplash, hyperextension-flexion strain or injury, or acceleration-deceleration injury: sternocleidomastoid, scalene muscles, trapezius, levator scapulae, splenius capitis, splenius cervicis, pectoralis minor, pectoralis major, masseter, temporalis, suprahyoid group, infrahyoid group, longus colli, longus capitis, semispinalis capitis, deep and superficial spinal muscles of posterior neck and upper back, abdominal muscles

Wry neck, or spasmodic torticollis: sternocleidomastoid, splenius cervicis, splenius capitis, levator scapulae, upper trapezius