Fibromyalgia: What are the 18 points of fibromyalgia and what are the methods for relieving the pain?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome that affects the musculoskeletal system, resulting in widespread pain, significant fatigue, and sleep disturbances. One of the diagnostic criteria is based on tenderness in 18 specific areas of the body. These tender points, also called  pressure points , help identify fibromyalgia, although this criterion alone is not sufficient for a complete diagnosis. This syndrome affects approximately 2 to 6% of the population in industrialized countries, primarily women. This article presents the 18 points of fibromyalgia, its symptoms, causes, and the many approaches to managing this condition.

Definition of fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain throughout the body, associated with stiffness, sleep disturbances, and persistent fatigue. This pain is not related to visible muscle or joint damage, making fibromyalgia difficult to diagnose. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized fibromyalgia since 1992. The pain is primarily due to an abnormal response of the nervous system that amplifies the perception of pain even to minimal stimuli.

The 18 points of fibromyalgia

The  18 specific points  are distributed symmetrically across the body. When pressure is applied to these points, it triggers pain in people with fibromyalgia. Here are these points and their locations:

1. Base of the skull (occiput)  : at the back of the head, where it joins the neck.
2. Nape of the neck (lower cervical region)  : on the front of the neck, just above the collarbone.
3. Trapezius  : midway between the neck and shoulder, on the trapezius muscles.
4. Scapulae (supraspinatus)  : above the shoulder blades, slightly below the shoulders.
5. Elbows (lateral epicondyles)  : on the outer part of the elbows.
6. Chest (second intercostal space)  : below the collarbones, to the left and right of the sternum.
7. Hips (greater trochanter)  : on the outer side of the hips.
8. Lower back (glutes)  : in the upper part of the gluteal muscles.
9. Knees (fatty pads of the knees)  : just above the kneecaps.

The diagnosis of fibromyalgia is often based on pain felt in at least 11 of these 18 points for a period of at least three months.

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