Fibromyalgia Anatomy

The anatomy of fibromyalgia is rather straightforward: there are 18 tender points (often confused with trigger points, which are associated with chronic myofascial pain) on your body that doctors have identified. These tender points become painful when pressed on (that's part of the diagnostic process for fibromyalgia).

The fibromyalgia tender points are symmetrical; they occur on both sides of the body. The tender point locations are:

• Front lower sides of your neck
• Upper chest
• Inner elbows
• Just above inner knees
• Back of your head
• Top of the shoulders
• Upper back (at shoulder blades)
• Upper buttock
• Hips

These tender points are very small—the size of a penny. All of them are around joints, but fibromyalgia pain has nothing to do with the joints themselves. Instead, fibromyalgia pain affects the soft tissues of your body, mainly the muscles.

These tender points are not the only places it's possible to feel fibromyalgia pain; you can also have general muscle fatigue and widespread chronic pain.