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Multifidus
Pointer Plus

Pointer Plus

The Pointer Plus is an easy to use trigger point (TP) locator which incorporates a push button stimulation feature to immediately treat Trigger point pain.

The Multifidus is a deep muscle of the back.

Anatomical Attachments:

  • Origin: Attaches to the posterior aspect of the iliac crest and sacrum, Sacroiliac ligament, mamillary process of the lumbar vertebrae, the transverse processes of the thoracic vertebrae, and the articular processes of C4, C5, C6 and C7 vertebrae.
  • Insertion: Attaches to the spinous processes of the superior vertebrae.

Action: Extends, laterally flexes and rotates the vertebral column, in addition to extending and laterally rotating the pelvis.

Nerve Supply: Posterior rami of all spinal nerves.

Nerve Entrapment: Entraps the dorsal rami of the spinal nerve. Individuals complaining of this nerve entrapment may have symptoms of decreased or increased sensitivity or pain to the skin of the neck and back.

Vascular supply: Posterior intercostal and lumbar arteries; deep cervical branch of the costocervical trunk arteries.

Travell and Simons Trigger Point Pain Referral:  

Click on a small image to view an enlarged image

Trigger Point Signs and Symptoms: Pain in the back, buttock, abdomen, restriction of spinal motion and activity.

Trigger Point Activating and Perpetuating Factors: Prolonged sitting for hours, acceleration/deceleration injury, bending and twisting of back when muscles are fatigued or chilled, trauma.

Differential Diagnosis: Degenerative disc disease, (Segmental, Subluxation, Somatic dysfunction) Spinal Radiculopathy (Bulging Prolapsed, Herniated Disc), Sacral nerve compression (Sciatica), Scoliosis, Thoracolumbar osteoarthritis, Renal disease, Gallstones, Sprain/Strain Syndrome, Military neck (Absence of normal cervical spine lordosis), Cervical Spine Hyperlordosis, Thoracic Spine Hyperkyphosis, Lumbar Spine Hyperlordosis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Scoliosis, Intervertebral or Vertebral stenosis, Rib Subluxation (Slipping Rib Syndrome), Spinal cord cancer, Metastatic tumors in ovaries or prostate, Dissecting aortic aneurysm, Renal or Urethral stones, Pelvic inflammatory disease, Endometriosis, Hodgkin’s disease, Sacroiliitis, Cauda equina, Prostatic disorders, Coccygodynia, Subacute meningitis or Peripheral neuropathy, Polymyalgia rheumatica, Fibromyalgia, Polymyositis, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis, Tetanus, Systemic infections or inflammation, Nutritional inadequacy, Metabolic imbalance, Toxicity, Side effects of medication.

 

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