Muscles
Multifidus
Deep spinal stabilizer at every segmental level; key for low back resilience.
Overview
Deep spinal stabilizer at every segmental level; key for low back resilience. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.
Trigger point locations
Deep alongside the spinous processes.
Referred pain pattern
Local segmental pain, often felt as a 'spot' the patient can point to.
Palpation & testing
Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.
Common causes
Acute low back episodes, disuse atrophy, chronic guarding.
Self-care & clinical treatment
Segmental motor control work, breathing retraining. Clinically: needling and graded loading.
Symptoms commonly linked
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction