Where does it hurt?
Diagnosing fibromyalgia can be tough. Pain is highly personal, so one person’s “I hurt all over” isn’t necessarily the same as another person’s “I hurt all over.”
That’s why doctors often check for certain tender points on the body when it comes to diagnosing fibromyalgia. These 18 points (9 pairs) tend to be painful when pressed and may spread pain to other body parts.
American College of Rheumatology guidelines suggests that people with fibromyalgia have pain in at least 11 of these tender points when a doctor applies a certain amount of pressure. Find out if your pain seems to match up.
Back of the neck
If you have fibromyalgia, you may have tender points at the back of the neck, where the base of the skull and the neck meet.
Neck pain can also be caused by injuries, rheumatoid arthritis, or activities that strain the neck, like slouching or sleeping in an uncomfortable position.
Elbows
Front of the neck
In addition to the back of the neck, doctors will check potential fibromyalgia patients for pain at the front of the neck.
This pair of trigger points is located well above the collarbone, on either side of the larynx.
Hips
Hip pain is common in those with osteoarthritis, but people with arthritis tend to feel it in the joint.
In contrast, people with fibromyalgia may have a tender point near where the buttock muscles curve to join the thighs.
Lower back
The lower back is one of the most common body parts to be the source of pain. Overall, more than 1 in 4 U.S. adults has experienced low back pain.
However, people with fibromyalgia may have pain trigger points at the very top of the buttocks, right at the bottom of the lower back.
Knees
While knee trouble is common in people with fibromyalgia, the inside of each knee pad may feel tender to the touch.
Shoulders
In addition to tenderness in the upper back, some people with fibromyalgia have tender points just above that, halfway between the edge of the shoulder and the bottom of the neck.
