Where myofascial trigger points refer — and the acupuncture points that release them. From Baldry's trigger-point method.
Upper Trapezius
Neck & Shoulders
Refers to: Up the back of the neck to the temple and behind the ear; sometimes jaw.
Acu: GB 21
Levator Scapulae
Neck & Shoulders
Refers to: Down the inner edge of the scapula and up the back of the neck to the base of the skull.
Acu: SI 14 / BL 43 region
Sternocleidomastoid (SCM)
Neck
Refers to: Face, forehead, around the eye, and sometimes deep into the ear; can cause dizziness.
Acu: ST 9 / LI 18
Splenius Capitis
Neck
Refers to: Vertex of the head and around the eye.
Acu: BL 10
Masseter
Jaw
Refers to: Teeth, jaw, and ear; bruxism pattern.
Acu: ST 6 / ST 7
Temporalis
Jaw & Head
Refers to: Temple, upper teeth, and eyebrow.
Acu: GB 8 / TE 23
Infraspinatus
Shoulder
Refers to: Down the outer arm and forearm, sometimes to the hand; shoulder pain sleeping on the side.
Acu: SI 11
Supraspinatus
Shoulder
Refers to: Outer arm down to the deltoid; pain lifting the arm.
Acu: SI 12 / TE 15
Deltoid (anterior)
Shoulder
Refers to: Localized to the front shoulder and outer arm.
Acu: LI 15
Scalenes
Neck
Refers to: Down the outer arm and into the hand; can mimic thoracic outlet.
Acu: LI 18
Extensor Digitorum
Forearm
Refers to: Back of the hand and fingers; 'tennis elbow' referral.
Acu: LI 11 / LI 10
Flexor Carpi Radialis
Forearm
Refers to: Palm and front of the wrist; 'golfer's elbow'.
Acu: HT 3 / PC 3
Quadratus Lumborum
Lower Back
Refers to: Lower back, hip, and outer thigh; 'hip hitch' pain, worse coughing.
Acu: BL 52 / GB 26
Gluteus Medius
Hip
Refers to: Outer thigh and hip; pain sleeping on the side.
Acu: GB 29 / GB 30
Piriformis
Hip
Refers to: Down the back of the thigh; can compress the sciatic nerve.
Acu: GB 30 / BL 54
Hamstrings
Thigh
Refers to: Back of the thigh to the knee; sometimes the hip.
Acu: BL 37 / BL 36
Gastrocnemius / Soleus
Calf
Refers to: Back of the knee down to the heel and Achilles.
Acu: BL 57 / BL 56
Tibialis Anterior
Shin
Refers to: Front of the ankle and top of the foot; shin splints.
Acu: ST 36 / ST 38
Peroneus / Fibularis Longus
Lower Leg
Refers to: Outer ankle and foot; ankle instability.
Acu: GB 34 / GB 39
Plantar Foot (Foot intrinsic)
Foot
Refers to: Heel and sole; 'plantar fasciitis' first-step pain.
Acu: KI 1
Pectoralis Major
Chest
Refers to: Front of the chest and down the inner arm; can mimic heart pain.
Acu: PC 1 / ST 18 region
Sternalis
Chest
Refers to: Central chest; can cause anterior chest pain.
Acu: CV 17 region
Adductor Longus
Groin
Refers to: Inner thigh and front of the hip; groin strain.
Acu: LR 10 / LR 11 / SP 10
Iliopsoas
Hip & Core
Refers to: Lower back and front of the hip; 'stuck sitting' pain.
Acu: ST 25 / GV 4
Suboccipitals
Head & Neck
Refers to: Top and back of the head, behind the eyes.
Acu: GB 20 / BL 10