Taut Band

Taut Band - an endogenous localized contracture within the muscle without activation of the motor endplate (1).
  • Palpation can be used to highlight the difference in tissue tension between a taut band and the surrounding fibers, by slowly "strumming" a muscle perpendicular to the fiber direction. Taut bands are often described as feeling like a "guitar string wound too tight".
  1. Mense, S. (1997). Pathophysiologic basis of muscle pain syndromes: an update. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics8(1), 23-53.

Related Terms

  • Trigger points
  • Myofascial pain syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Muscle spasms
  • Muscle knots
  • Soft tissue mobilization

Synonyms

  • taut band
  • hypertonic fascicle
  • over-active fascicle