Having an Agonizing Spot Between Your Shoulders? – Part 2
Updated: Oct 23
Kicki Hjortmarker is known for her broad knowledge and extensive experience working with the human body and mind to heal injuries and chronic pain conditions. She is the founder of Swedish Balance, dedicated to helping people live a balanced life pain-free.
Fibromyalgia and trigger point pain can feel remarkably similar, but their patterns and potential causes differ. This article explores how widespread pain may be distinguished from localized trigger point symptoms and considers supportive approaches that may help ease discomfort and improve wellbeing.
What if it’s not just one agonizing spot? What if the pain is all over?
Fibromyalgia vs. Trigger point pain symptoms
Fibromyalgia is often mistaken for Trigger Point Pain Syndrome, and vice versa. I have treated several patients with trigger point pain who were vaguely diagnosed with fibromyalgia. After trigger point treatment, they felt rejuvenated, with pain minimized, and later reported being free of fibromyalgia symptoms.
Fibromyalgia is characterized by general, vague, widespread pain and is accompanied by feelings of tiredness and fatigue.
Trigger point pain, on the other hand, is specific, and its referred pain pattern is specific.
Not quite sure if the pain is vague or specific?
Sometimes a patient doesn’t realize how specific their pain is until the trigger points that cause it are pressed firmly. Perhaps that’s why they received a vague diagnosis at the doctor’s office. I often come across clients who point out tender, specific spots and then add that they are exhausted and in pain all over.
It can be hard to distinguish between the two conditions since both fibromyalgia and trigger point pain can involve pain and tenderness in muscles and soft tissues.
However, I do believe some people can experience both simultaneously.
Think holistically, various techniques may be needed
When the worst pain patterns have been treated, most patients feel a sense of hope and light at the end of the tunnel of pain.
Fibromyalgia is often accompanied by depression, but when pain symptoms diminish, patients may leave the treatment room with a brighter outlook on life, a sense of feeling lighter, and a healing process that takes place both physically and mentally.
I also meet people who come in for a treatment and are afraid to be touched because they are in “so much pain all over.” They are afraid that the touch of the treatment will make the pain worse.
They may seem to be a classic case of fibromyalgia; however, they may still complain about a few specific areas that hurt.
In this case, I have found it to be of great value to begin treatment with craniosacral therapy and/or energy work such as Reiki. With these modalities, the therapist can work with a very light touch or even no touch.
When these techniques are applied, the nervous system has a chance to feel safe. Once the nervous system has calmed, the client can usually identify specific points of pain. Likewise, when the nervous system feels safe, the client can usually accept much firmer pressure and might even ask for it. This means trigger points can be treated.
The origin of fibromyalgia vs. Trigger point symptoms
Research suggests that fibromyalgia involves altered pain processing within the central nervous system. Primary myofascial trigger points are generally described as localized areas within skeletal muscle.
Trigger point therapy may help people with fibromyalgia when used alongside other modalities and techniques.
Trigger point therapy, in conjunction with craniosacral therapy or energy work, may help.
Take care of your trigger point pain now – call or text Kicki at 323-404-6613, email KickiHjortmarker@gmail.com, or visit my website today.
Read more from Kicki Katarina Hjortmarker
Kicki Katarina Hjortmarker, Holistic Bodyworker
Kicki Hjortmarker has a solid background in the hands-on healing field, treating people with injuries and chronic pain conditions. With a holistic approach, she integrates Neuromuscular Massage Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Reiki, Pilates, and more. To practice the artistry of mind/bodywork and massage therapy has been Kicki's lifelong passion. It started with the awareness of her own body as a child and ballet dancer, and, later, as a gymnast who developed chronic lower back pain whilst on the Swedish National Team in Rhythmic Sports Gymnastics. Decades later, she overcame nerve damage and temporary paralysis in one hand. This taught her to trust the healing power of body and mind, and that the body prefers holistic healing methods over conventional treatments. Her mission is to encourage and inspire others to do the same. To trust the healing power of body, mind, and spirit!
