Reizpunkte

Reizpunkte (literally "stimulus points") is a German term used in various scientific and medical contexts to describe localized regions where stimulation produces an amplified sensory response, often pain. The term is applied across disciplines but is most commonly associated with points of heightened sensitivity in soft tissues.

In physiology, a Reizpunkt can refer to a receptive field or a cluster of sensory nerve endings that generate a perceptible signal when stimulated. In clinical practice, the concept is frequently linked to myofascial phenomena, particularly myofascial trigger points. These are discrete, hypersensitive spots within taut bands of skeletal muscle that can cause local tenderness and may refer pain to distant areas. They are sometimes accompanied by stiffness, weakness, and autonomic phenomena, though the underlying mechanisms remain debated.

Pathophysiological explanations include peripheral sensitization, local ischemia, and the release of inflammatory mediators, with potential amplification through central sensitization. Diagnosis relies on clinical examination, primarily palpation to identify tenderness, taut muscle bands, and reproduction of pain upon compression. Some approaches note a local twitch response or a characteristic pain pattern associated with the point.

Treatment aims to deactivate the point and restore function. Approaches include physical therapy, manual therapy, stretching, dry needling or acupuncture, injections with anesthetics or other agents, and adjunctive modalities such as heat or ultrasound. The terminology and diagnostic reliability of Reizpunkte are topics of ongoing discussion, with many clinicians using the term interchangeably with trigger points.

See also: trigger point, myofascial pain syndrome, acupuncture points, nociceptors.