What type of points are characteristic of fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is characterized by the presence of painful trigger points, which are specific areas in the body that are overly sensitive to pressure. These trigger points can cause widespread musculoskeletal pain when stimulated. The concept of trigger points in fibromyalgia is essential because they are central to understanding the condition's symptoms, which include chronic pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.

In fibromyalgia, the painful trigger points are distinct from other types of points, such as joint effusion points, which are associated with conditions that cause swelling in the joints, or inflamed muscle points, which are typically related to local inflammation due to injury or another inflammatory condition. Weakness points might imply areas of muscle weakness, which is not a defining feature of fibromyalgia but rather a symptom that can be associated with various other conditions. Thus, the identification of painful trigger points is crucial for the diagnosis and management of fibromyalgia, making them the correct distinguishing characteristic of this condition.