What differentiates latent trigger points from active trigger points?

Latent trigger points are defined primarily by their lack of spontaneous pain. They can become problematic when they are subjected to pressure or mechanical irritation, but otherwise, they do not typically provoke pain in the absence of such stimuli. This characteristic differentiates them from active trigger points, which are consistently painful and can refer pain to remote areas in the body even without direct stimulation.

When considering why the correct answer is C, it's important to highlight that latent trigger points are not usually associated with pain that spreads to distant locations, distinguishing them from active trigger points, which are notorious for this referral pattern. While latent trigger points can cause pain upon palpation or physical activity, they lack the continuous, spontaneous pain and referral qualities that define active trigger points.

In contrast, other choices do not accurately capture the differences. For instance, latent trigger points are not necessarily painful at rest, which is a characteristic of active trigger points. Active points do not only present pain upon stimulation, as they are already causing pain without needing additional provocation. Lastly, active points being asymptomatic is inaccurate because they are, by definition, symptomatic, consistently causing discomfort.