Anatomy & symptoms

Understanding trigger points

What does a muscle do? Where might discomfort be felt? Explore explanations for all 136 markers across the 52 muscle groups in the 3D view.

Explore the interactive anatomy ↗

What do the points show?

The markers illustrate pressure-sensitive areas within muscles. These trigger points may be associated with local or referred pain. Numbers help identify markers in the model; each number does not represent a separate disease.

Are these traditional acupuncture points?

This guide shows myofascial trigger points organised by muscle. Traditional acupuncture uses a different point system. In trigger point acupuncture or dry needling, the muscle examination and symptoms guide point selection.

Why are trigger points treated?

When examination findings suggest a muscular source of pain, treatment may aim to reduce pain and improve movement. Exercise, manual approaches and, where appropriate, dry needling are considered individually. A pain area alone does not determine treatment.

Muscle directory

Explore by body region

The pain areas describe possible associations. An examination determines whether a muscle explains your symptoms. Multiple points in the same muscle share this clinical context.

Head & neck

Orbicularis oculi

M. orbicularis oculi

Muscle function: Closes the eyelids and enables blinking.
Possible pain areas: Local tension around the eye. Eye symptoms require a separate medical assessment.

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1 point in the model

Sternocleidomastoid

M. sternocleidomastoideus

Muscle function: Turns and tilts the head and assists neck movement.
Possible pain areas: Side of the neck; pain may also be felt in the head and face.

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4 points in the model

Masseter

M. masseter

Muscle function: Closes the jaw during chewing.
Possible pain areas: Cheek and jaw with tenderness or pain while chewing.

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3 points in the model

Shoulder & arm

Supraspinatus muscle

M. supraspinatus

Muscle function: Helps lift the arm sideways and stabilises the shoulder.
Possible pain areas: Shoulder and outer upper arm; pain when lifting the arm may prompt an assessment.

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3 points in the model

Finger extensor

M. extensor digitorum

Muscle function: Straightens the fingers and assists wrist extension.
Possible pain areas: Back of the forearm, hand and fingers during painful muscle loading.

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1 point in the model

Brachioradialis muscle

M. brachioradialis

Muscle function: Bends the elbow, especially with the palm facing inwards.
Possible pain areas: Thumb-side forearm and elbow region during loading or pressure.

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1 point in the model

Hand interossei

Interosseous muscles · hand

Muscle function: Spread the fingers and support precise finger movement.
Possible pain areas: Back of the hand and fingers with local tenderness or discomfort when gripping.

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5 points in the model

Back

Latissimus dorsi

M. latissimus dorsi

Muscle function: Draws the arm backwards and towards the body.
Possible pain areas: Back of the shoulder and shoulder-blade region; discomfort may extend into the arm.

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1 point in the model

Serratus posterior inferior

M. serratus posterior inferior

Muscle function: Connects the lower ribs with the thoracolumbar region.
Possible pain areas: Mid to lower back around the lower ribs.

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3 points in the model

Lumbar iliocostalis

M. iliocostalis lumborum

Muscle function: Helps straighten and side-bend the trunk.
Possible pain areas: Side of the lower back with local muscle tension or painful movement.

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2 points in the model

Longissimus thoracis

M. longissimus thoracis

Muscle function: Supports upright posture and trunk extension.
Possible pain areas: Back muscles beside the spine, particularly during sustained postural work.

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3 points in the model

Lumbar multifidus muscles

Mm. multifidi · lumbar region

Muscle function: Stabilise spinal segments and assist small trunk movements.
Possible pain areas: Deep aching close to the lumbar spine.

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3 points in the model

Quadratus lumborum

M. quadratus lumborum

Muscle function: Stabilises the lower back and bends the trunk sideways.
Possible pain areas: Lower back, pelvic crest and buttock; discomfort may extend towards the hip or groin.

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5 points in the model

Abdomen & hip

These points relate to muscles. Abdominal pain is also assessed for causes outside the muscles.

Rectus abdominis

M. rectus abdominis · both sides

Muscle function: Flexes the trunk and supports abdominal wall tension.
Possible pain areas: Front of the abdominal wall; referred discomfort may also be felt in the back.

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16 points in the model

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

External oblique

M. obliquus externus abdominis

Muscle function: Rotates and side-bends the trunk and tensions the abdominal wall.
Possible pain areas: Side of the abdominal wall, rib margin and flank; the groin may also be involved.

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7 points in the model

Psoas major

M. psoas major

Muscle function: Flexes the hip and connects the lumbar spine with the thigh.
Possible pain areas: Lower back and buttock when the hip flexor may contribute to symptoms.

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1 point in the model

Iliacus

M. iliacus

Muscle function: Works with the psoas to flex the hip.
Possible pain areas: Front of the hip, outer groin and front of the thigh.

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1 point in the model

Leg & foot

Pectineus

M. pectineus

Muscle function: Draws the thigh inward and assists hip flexion.
Possible pain areas: Deep groin and front of the hip.

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1 point in the model

Gluteus maximus

M. gluteus maximus

Muscle function: Extends the hip, for example when rising or climbing stairs.
Possible pain areas: Buttock, sacral area and upper back of the thigh; sitting or rising may be painful.

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4 points in the model

Deep hip rotators

Deep hip rotators · GOGO group

Muscle function: Rotate the thigh outward and stabilise the hip.
Possible pain areas: Deep buttock and hip region with pressure-related or movement-related discomfort.

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2 points in the model

Gluteus medius

M. gluteus medius

Muscle function: Stabilises the pelvis during walking and lifts the leg sideways.
Possible pain areas: Pelvic crest, buttock and lower back.

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4 points in the model

Gluteus minimus

M. gluteus minimus

Muscle function: Supports pelvic stability and sideways leg movement.
Possible pain areas: Outer hip and buttock; pain may extend down the side or back of the leg.

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2 points in the model

Piriformis

M. piriformis

Muscle function: Assists outward rotation and stabilisation of the hip.
Possible pain areas: Deep buttock and back of the thigh. Radiating leg pain is also assessed for other causes.

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2 points in the model

Tensor fasciae latae

M. tensor fasciae latae

Muscle function: Assists hip flexion, sideways leg movement and lateral stability.
Possible pain areas: Outer hip and thigh, sometimes extending to the outside of the knee.

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2 points in the model

Vastus lateralis

M. vastus lateralis

Muscle function: Straightens the knee as part of the quadriceps.
Possible pain areas: Outer thigh, outer knee and outer edge of the kneecap.

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7 points in the model

Adductor longus

M. adductor longus

Muscle function: Draws the thigh inward and assists hip flexion.
Possible pain areas: Groin and inner thigh; discomfort may extend towards the knee.

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3 points in the model

Gracilis

M. gracilis

Muscle function: Draws the leg inward and assists knee flexion.
Possible pain areas: Inner knee when muscle involvement is suspected.

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1 point in the model

Hamstrings

Hamstrings

Muscle function: Bend the knee and extend the hip.
Possible pain areas: Sitting-bone area, back of the thigh and back of the knee; the upper calf may also be involved.

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8 points in the model

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Sartorius

M. sartorius

Muscle function: Flexes the hip and knee and assists outward leg rotation.
Possible pain areas: Groin, front to inner thigh and inner knee.

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3 points in the model

Rectus femoris

M. rectus femoris

Muscle function: Straightens the knee and flexes the hip.
Possible pain areas: Front of the thigh and area above the kneecap.

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1 point in the model

Vastus medialis

M. vastus medialis

Muscle function: Straightens the knee and helps guide the kneecap.
Possible pain areas: Front to inner knee when the muscle contributes to symptoms.

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1 point in the model

Adductor magnus

M. adductor magnus

Muscle function: Draws the thigh inward; posterior fibres assist hip extension.
Possible pain areas: Upper inner thigh and pelvic region. Pelvic symptoms need a broader medical assessment.

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1 point in the model

Tibialis anterior

M. tibialis anterior

Muscle function: Lifts the foot and assists inward tilting.
Possible pain areas: Front of the shin, front of the ankle and inner top of the foot towards the first toes.

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2 points in the model

Gastrocnemius

M. gastrocnemius

Muscle function: Raises the heel and assists knee flexion.
Possible pain areas: Back of the knee, calf, Achilles tendon region and heel.

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5 points in the model

Soleus

M. soleus

Muscle function: Raises the heel and supports standing and walking.
Possible pain areas: Deep calf and heel, sometimes around the Achilles tendon.

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3 points in the model

Fibularis longus

M. fibularis longus (peroneus)

Muscle function: Turns the foot outward and supports the foot arches.
Possible pain areas: Outer ankle, outer heel and outer top of the foot.

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2 points in the model

Fibularis brevis

M. fibularis brevis (peroneus)

Muscle function: Turns the foot outward and supports ankle stability.
Possible pain areas: Outer ankle and outer foot with muscle tenderness.

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1 point in the model

Extensor digitorum longus

M. extensor digitorum longus

Muscle function: Straightens the lesser toes and helps lift the foot.
Possible pain areas: Front of the lower leg, ankle, top of the foot and lesser toes.

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1 point in the model

Extensor hallucis longus

M. extensor hallucis longus

Muscle function: Straightens the big toe and assists foot lifting.
Possible pain areas: Inner top of the foot and big toe, sometimes the front of the ankle.

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1 point in the model

Fibularis tertius

M. fibularis tertius (peroneus)

Muscle function: Lifts the foot and assists outward tilting.
Possible pain areas: Front of the outer ankle, outer top of the foot and outer heel.

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1 point in the model

Extensor digitorum brevis

M. extensor digitorum brevis

Muscle function: Assists extension of the second to fourth toes.
Possible pain areas: Local tenderness on top of the foot and around the corresponding toes.

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1 point in the model

Extensor hallucis brevis

M. extensor hallucis brevis

Muscle function: Straightens the big toe at its base joint.
Possible pain areas: Top of the big-toe base joint and nearby upper foot.

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1 point in the model

Tibialis posterior

M. tibialis posterior

Muscle function: Supports the inner arch and turns the foot inward.
Possible pain areas: Deep calf, Achilles tendon region, heel and sole.

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2 points in the model

Flexor digitorum longus

M. flexor digitorum longus

Muscle function: Bends the second to fifth toes.
Possible pain areas: Inner lower leg, inner ankle and sole towards the toes.

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1 point in the model

Flexor hallucis longus

M. flexor hallucis longus

Muscle function: Bends the big toe and supports push-off during walking.
Possible pain areas: Underside of the big toe and inner forefoot.

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1 point in the model

Quadratus plantae

M. quadratus plantae

Muscle function: Assists the long toe flexor in the sole.
Possible pain areas: Underside of the heel with muscle-related tenderness.

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2 points in the model

Adductor hallucis

M. adductor hallucis

Muscle function: Draws the big toe towards the second toe and supports the forefoot.
Possible pain areas: Ball of the foot and underside of the forefoot.

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3 points in the model

Flexor hallucis brevis

M. flexor hallucis brevis

Muscle function: Bends the big toe at its base joint.
Possible pain areas: Inner forefoot and area around the first and second toes.

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2 points in the model

Abductor hallucis

M. abductor hallucis

Muscle function: Moves the big toe away from the second toe and supports the inner foot arch.
Possible pain areas: Inner edge of the sole.

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1 point in the model

Abductor digiti minimi

M. abductor digiti minimi · foot

Muscle function: Spreads the little toe and supports the outer foot.
Possible pain areas: Outer edge of the sole.

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1 point in the model

Flexor digitorum brevis

M. flexor digitorum brevis

Muscle function: Bends the second to fifth toes at their middle joints.
Possible pain areas: Central sole and ball of the foot.

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1 point in the model

Foot interossei

Mm. interossei dorsales · foot

Muscle function: Spread the toes and stabilise their base joints.
Possible pain areas: Forefoot and toes with local tenderness.

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2 points in the model

Medical background

Further information on anatomy, myofascial pain and treatment approaches.

Content updated: 5 October 2026