When people talk about fibromyalgia, they sometimes use the terms tender points and trigger points interchangeably. In actuality, they have quite different meanings. All accurately diagnosed FM patients have tender points; some may also have trigger points.

Tender Points

Tender points are used to help diagnosis fibromyalgia. They are extremely sensitive spots on the body that elicit pain when four kilograms (or about 10 lbs.) of pressure are applied. There are 18 specific tender points...