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The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief – 3rd Edition
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Description
Trigger point therapy is one of the fastest-growing and most effective pain therapies in the world. Medical doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapists are all beginning to use this technique to relieve patients’ formerly undiagnosable muscle and joint pain, both conditions that studies have shown to be the cause of nearly 25 percent of all doctor visits.
This book addresses the problem of myofascial trigger points—tiny contraction knots that develop in a muscle when it is injured or overworked. Restricted circulation and lack of oxygen in these points cause referred pain. Massage of the trigger is the safest, most natural, and most effective form of pain therapy. Trigger points create pain throughout the body in predictable patterns characteristic to each muscle, producing discomfort ranging from mild to severe. Trigger point massage increases circulation and oxygenation in the area and often produces instant relief.
The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook, Third Edition, has made a huge impact among health professionals and the public alike, becoming an overnight classic in the field of pain relief. This edition includes a new chapter by the now deceased author, Clair Davies’ daughter, Amber Davies, who is passionate about continuing her father’s legacy. The new edition also includes postural assessments and muscle tests, an illustrated index of symptoms, and clinical technique drawings and descriptions to assist both practitioners and regular readers in assessing and treating trigger points.
If you have ever suffered from, or have treated someone who suffers from myofascial trigger point pain, this is a must-have book.
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+44 7456 400023
once this book is read and understood,you and your partner can find knotted muscles and relieve pain you may have had for years without relief. any muscle can have trigger points (knots or spasms or charley horses) and can be cured with simple massage techniques elucidated in this book.
This book is so helpful!
I had "carpel tunnel". I took a break from using computers for a month. When I came back, after 5 minutes of using a mouse, I was in tears. Doctors gave me muscle relaxers, I tried physical therapy, I even had an EKG done. Doctors offered surgery for "carpel tunnel" as the next option.
Surgery involves cutting the wrist band and placing the nerve outside the wrist band, closer to the skin. In the new location, the nerve is more likely to be agitated by anything touching the skin, as opposed to deeper muscle tissue. I feel bad for anyone who selected the surgery and didn't know about this book.
Through this book I learned how to fix the problem, and why the problem was happening. This book explained what doctors couldn't tell me. The cause and effect between miofascial tissue layers (that thin layer of skin surrounding a muscle), how it shapes a muscle, and how it can effect the overall body structure.
This book is structured so that the first few introduction chapters are worth reading, then it gives an index that allows the reader to select where their pain is. It then gives a list of muscles and page locations on how to alleviate the pain.
Reading a book and applying it isn't as easy as popping a pill. For that reason I don't give this book to everyone complaining about pain. Anyone who is seriously struggling with pain, or anyone who doesn't like pills; will find this book a huge asset.
This book has a textbook's worth of knowledge for users. If it were $120, I'd still have bought it twice. One to lend out, one for me. As is, this is my 4th copy of the book, and I'll likely buy more in the future.
Teaching someone how to remove their pain is the best gift you can give someone.
1'st Edition has hand drawn pictures to depict muscle/trigger point locations.
2'd Edition is computer drawn, there are a few page #'s wrong in the index, but nothing a couple pages of flipping and a pen can't solve.
3'd Edition expands on many concepts of the 2nd edition, but changes the text format. It offer's more knowledge about available tools in the market and better explains some things about muscle interactions.
If your eyesight is poor, 2nd edition is the best.
This book is a MUST for anyone dealing with chronic pain or lifestyle stresses or athletes!
The practices in this book helped me become a better, more balanced runner. I also deal with chronic overuse issues due tot the nature of my physically challenging job. It gives the reader the power to self assess and combat issues- whenever and wherever needed.
Working on my specific trigger points that were flaring up my scoliosis completely eliminated the need to see a Chiro every two months. I also was having chronic neck kinks and frozen episodes. I can now tell when I need to work on the spots that trigger these episode.
I have a nightly routine I run though to keep me in check.
Cannot say enough good things about this book. Definitely recommend seeing a specialist at some point in your journey and along the way to check in.
Most of all, this book has clear and practical ways to massage the points that are triggering the pain in order to bring relief. It won't happen overnight. But if you read the book carefully so that you understand the causes of myofascial pain (don't skip the beginning chapters), and follow the directions for specific areas, and then set aside time each day, it can make a world of difference.
It may take several months, but it so much easier than endless doctor's appointments because you can do the therapy at home - and in my case at least, so much more effective. After years of trying everything, this book has been the thing that has helped me the most.
I never had a massage that was so informative, yet effective. He told me that his wife bought him this book as a birthday gift and it’s literally his Bible. He told me that you could use it to help yourself out and it is a great tool for such.
My husband and I are both martial artists, so we are no stranger to aches and pains. Sometimes we don’t know where it’s coming from or where it’s going to. This book helps you map it out!
Would make a very nice gift for somebody who’s older and experiencing pains, for those who dedicate their lives to sport. Or for somebody who is attending massage school, or a massage artist that really wants to further their education!! My masseuse said that this really improved a lot of his students. Very handy book indeed. Highly recommended!
I found Amber’s book apparently providentially through a review by TrueNorth. I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading as a complete novice, but when I put the techniques into practice I instantly noticed results and most importantly I was quickly informed by the book that my own experience is not uncommon, being treated like a freak hypochondriac with 50+ symptoms of other mainstream diseases that seemingly no human could explain. 15 years of chronic pain explained and destroyed. It’s not goodbye pain but goodbye chronic pain! I know just how to heal every pain I have had for 15 years and if I have new pains from new types of physical strain I just type in the search bar of my amazing kindle e-book. This includes std symptoms undetectable by the most stringent testing and symptoms identical to lymphoma. Goodbye suffering needlessly and getting injured so easily from lack of knowledge. I have always been an extreme athlete and I don’t have to dismiss that part of me any longer (my struggle began at age 20 and ended at age 35). This was only the beginning of my amazing experience with this woman. I originally studied her book and travell and simons’ books trying to heal my wife but was unsuccessful but amazingly healed myself. She was easily able to tell that there is more than muscle dysfunction going on with her. My wife and I are very shy people but Amber is so skilled, even in a video call it seemed as if she was in the room guiding my hands. I learned a lot and she even gave me a discount out of the kindness of her heart because we had such a good time talking. You’re worth much more than $1 per minute Amber! It was as if I had talked to a doctor that understood me for the first time ever. I had no need to explain my situation because the book did that but she did so well with my wife. You’re doing a great job! I’m in awe of you and so thankful.
My cousin put me onto the idea that it may be muscular, and when I started researching the possible muscles I came across trigger point therapy. After using some info that I found on-line and it greatly helping me, I decided to purchase this book so I have a complete resource for any future pain.
If your pain seems untreatable and can't find the cause, try trigger point therapy. You very well may be amazed and given relief like I was.
Recently, a friend told me about the Trigeminal Neuralgia-like symptoms experienced by another friend of ours. He was scheduled to see a neurologist in a few weeks to get an official diagnosis. I was extremely sad about the news and felt so helpless for a few days. Then, one day I was inspired to look up the Second Edition of the book and became very hopeful that this friend might be able to help himself by following the approach suggested in the book to relieve trigger points in his facial muscles. So I bought the Third Edition of the book for him and for myself.
I was very impressed by the enhancements contained in the Third Edition over the Second.
Since this friend lives in a different state, so we’ve communicated over the phone using this book to show him how to release trigger points himself. Thank Goodness, it has worked!!! In less than three weeks, his facial pain has reduced by at least 70%.
I can never thank Clair and Amber enough for adapting Travell and Simons’ original work into an easy to read and apply book that must have benefited countless people to prevent unnecessary medical procedures and eliminate indescribable sufferings. Thanks for your contribution to reduce our national health care costs and to empower people to help themselves to feel better.
The first several times that I attempted trigger point therapy I had pain flare-ups, and if you live with chronic pain you get kind of phobic about more pain and also hypersensitive to it. My latest attempt was about 10 months ago, I was very gentle and worked the trigger points only once a day, followed immediately by a hot shower. No pain flare-ups, so that I was able to continue to treat the areas over time! Months later, so much of my chronic pain is gone, and I'm now using TP for aches in my hands, back and hips.
I've bought balls from Walmart's sporting goods section, from online sellers, and one of my favorite small balls is a pet toy! It used to be that my best pain relief was from getting a massage, but the pain would be back before I had even driven home. The last massage that I had this summer as a birthday gift, I kept thinking how I could do a better job myself with my balls.
Using the book is work, because you have to identify where the problem area is, which muscles might be affected, and then learn how to work the trigger points in that area. The work is SO WORTH IT! I wonder how many people have unnecessary surgery done, or take painkillers, when they could use trigger point therapy to safely self-treat.
It gives a picture of what area hurts and then points you to the muscle(s) that can likely be causing the pain. It's called referred pain. Find the trigger point in the muscle that is causing the pain. Massage it and the pain goes away. My knee pain is gone. If it flares up from overwork, I massage the muscles that caused the referred pain and I'm good. I've had other areas that hurt. This book helped me resolve those issues also.
The book is a translation by two physical therapists of a highly technical medical book, written decades ago by doctors, that doesn't seem to be taught in medical school any more. Try to find a doctor who knows joint pain and muscles and how they can cause pain. If they suggest PT for you and you can't afford it, then consider this book as a reference that may help you. For the price it costs, it is dirt cheap to try and see if what it says will help you.
Be advised that good reading ability and high motivation to help oneself is required. You must read the beginning of the book to understand what you need to do. Do not take shortcuts. Once you understand why pain occurs and how you can help yourself, then go to the section that describes or shows your pain and read and learn and apply your new understanding of pain reduction/elimination.
So naturally I went to multiple massage therapists, all of whom practice trigger point therapy themselves! And while I was getting relief, I’d end up right back in pain the day I got back to my desk and knew we were not getting to the core issue. Enter a rabbit hole of YouTube videos on myofascial release techniques, trigger points, stretches, and a recommendation for this book. $10 for the kindle version? I spend more than that on pain relief cream!
One of the first things it has you look at for shoulder / upper back pain are trigger points in the neck. I wasn’t having neck pain, but after 5 minutes of following the guide I found THE spot that radiated intense pain to all the areas in my upper body that had been ailing me for months. It was not easy to get to, so I ended up having to get my massage therapist to work it out. I am super hopeful for the first time in a while that I’m not doomed to a life of chronic pain unless I switch careers. the relief I’ve gotten already is very promising.
PRO TIPS
1. Get the kindle version and download the companion PDF with printable charts.
The kindle version of this book is actually very handy and easy to navigate. It helps to guide you to the possible areas through hyperlinks and the illustrations are helpful to show you the points and how to get to the more tricky ones. There is also a link to the website that has you download a printable version of the trigger point illustrations so you don’t have to hunch over a device to reference them.
2. Use with a back body or other similar massage tool to get to hard to reach spots.
3. Use in conjunction with seeing a massage therapist. A good one who knows about trigger points will appreciate your self investigation and can help to release hard to reach spots.
4. For especially painful trigger points, it might take a few tries. And the next day might still be very tender. Keep at it, but give your body a few days to heal.
Thank you to Clair Davies for a well researched map to our bodies. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
The real highlights of this book are the diagrams, the chapter organization and the case studies that accompany many of the major problem-muscles. Readers can easily find treatment options by their symptoms, the offending muscle (if known) or the region of the body presenting pain. Every chapter (shoulders, neck, upper back, hip/sacrum, etc.) starts with an illustration of the body region and each muscle, along with the trigger points and referred pain pattern. It is incredibly straightforward to open the book to the chapter representing the area where you hurt, find the trigger points and go to work. Many of the case studies reinforce the almost magic-like efficacy of treating trigger points, as they so often contain descriptions of the exact symptoms the reader is experiencing (at least in my case, and for those I have recommended the book to).
As anatomy is intimately inter-related and the human body must function as a whole, it has been my experience that just knowing a few of the worst trigger points won't make pain or instability or dysfunction go away for very long; it's important to really dig in to the book and practice body awareness, so that you can follow your symptoms and identify how other muscle groups have been impacted by your 'worst offenders'. However, I can confidently say that if you are diligent and use the guidance and knowledge that this book offers, you may find yourself feeling and moving better than you ever expected possible. Claire Davies is a genius and deserves a nobel prize for this work of mastery. Please consider this book first and foremost if you have ever been recommended for surgery; it very well may profoundly change the course of your life for the better, and save you from undue expense as well as a lifetime of pain and suffering.
I never read it until I experienced TPT for my first time. A local/professional TP therapist fixed a 3 month long knee problem I was having within an hour session (I almost considered surgery as an option). He also taught me that everything he preformed on me I could do myself. since then I have purchased my own copy, studied this book, and used TPT on a daily basis..
This book should be in every household.. it will save you if you are having physical problems. Don’t go to the doctor, don’t go to the chiropractor or acupuncturist.. buy this book and self help yourself!
This book contains a wealth of information all in one place. I learned more reading 2 pages about my upper trap that any other doctor appointment or PT. I have this book on hand and when a friend/relative complains about a pain; I ask them to point to the pain and then quickly look it up in this book. We read the recommended exercises and they are amazed at the fast, effective result.
I owe my pain-free existence to this book.
You have to be willing to read the first couple chapters to understand the underlying concepts. I've already had an entire 10 session Rolfing treatment about 20 years ago, and it provided remarkable results for a chronic neck problem. I never saw a chiropractor again after that. So I was ready to believe this trigger point stuff would work.
I especially love how easy it is to figure out what muscle/where needs treatment, because of the terrific diagrams about exactly where the pain is felt on each part of the body, it's not hard to sort out. I have found nothing else that compares to this diagramed book. I am not a medical professional and have little to no knowledge of anatomy. But I can hone in on exactly what and where I need to apply treatment.
Especially if you don't have access to a good neuromuscular or trigger point massage therapist........and/or can't afford one. You apply these treatments several times a day at home......
This book has really opened my eyes (LOL) to many of my own personal aches which can be CURED simply by releasing trigger points!
Thank God as well as Clair and Amber Davies, the authors, for this book. I had ONE of the second editions for this book, but I lost it so I ordered THREE of the 3rd editions for this book so that if I did accidentally lose one of them I would have a backup!!!!!!!
Have given this book away to many people with chronic pain issues. The ones who utilize the methods outlined in the book swear by them.
The authors studied and utilized Dr. Janet Travell's pioneering work in the treatment of chronic myofascial pain and trigger points to develop this method of treatment.
I highly recommend this book for people practicing sports, those with fibromyalgia and chronic myofascial pain, Lyme patients, and just about anyone with a chronic pain issue, who can tolerate massage therapy and physical therapy for their pain. It might not be appropriate for some people with arthritic pain or who have had surgeries, other issues. Check with your doctor. Most savvy physicians should recognize the value of this book if it is appropriate for their patients.
Then I attended to a rotator cuff problem I had developed when a ski boarder pulled my arm when she couldn't control herself at very high speed. That was also gone in less than an hour. Multiple points had to be resolved and when I was done I was dancing on the ceiling. But, again I felt it was a fluke and didn't dare trying other TPs as I was afraid of losing my new religions if it stopped working. Needless to say, it never did.
Last year I discussed my years of experience with a neuroscientist who does cutting edge research at University of London. I told him that in my view TPs don't get resolved because evolution has not provided us with the mechanism. They are recorded in our minds and the mind has no way of knowing where the points are. Yes, our mind doesn't know where each part of our body is. If you don't believe that, try to feel where your middle toe is without wriggling it or touching it somewhere. Worse, try to feel the extent of your heart or stomach, in fact, any of the hundreds of muscle in your body. You can't, unless you flex them or touch them. If you don't know, it means you mind doesn't either. It can send signals to their address, but doesn't know exactly where they are. It doesn't need to and that is the problem with fixing precise pain locations.
When we press a trigger point we are showing our minds the location that needs to be repaired and that there is no reason for the location to remain taught. The body knows how to release the knot, but doesn't know where it is. We have to show it and it is done. That simple. The memory of the trauma is wiped and the point is released.
My neuroscientist friend felt it was a revelation. Now he like me uses this manual to locate trigger points for the mind and show it that there is no reason to keep them going. BTW, we don't have an automatic system of resolving such points because evolution is very economical, it doesn't develop a system unless it is crucial to our reproductive success. As trigger points don't show up much until we are over the typical reproductive age, there I no reason to resolve them automatically at very high energy and social cost. But we have brains and we have found how this muscle saving mechanism results in TPs and how we can tell our minds to resolve them. A great solution that only humans have developed.
I will be happy to share more about my experiences. Enough to say that at 67 I have managed to keep my muscle supple enough to reach the platinum level ski racing in NASTAR. I am more supple than when I was 40. This is very real in terms of science of the brain and evolution.
Anecdotes: Early in May '17 I stood in line to get some food at JFK on my way to work somewhere south. Suddenly I had a feeling that my heart was palpitating with sparks of pain and tension. What comes to mind first? 911 and a heart attack! Well, if you read the next anecdote you will know that I don't think medical help as my first resort. But this was serious and the pain very unfamiliar. I still didn't believe it would be a heart attack although the symptoms were nearly exactly what you read and hear about. I started to breath deeply in an attempt to get enough oxygen, etc. Soon I felt like a fool, succumbing to old tales of wow and panic. I took our my massage ball with which I entertain myself on flights, and found a half dozen TPs in the surface muscles around where my heart usually is. Within minutes all the pulls, pushes, and bursts of pain and fear had gone. To test, I went up and down a couple of floor in the airport, it was smiles. My apologies to any paramedics I didn't employ that day.
Diverticulitis: In Jan 2004 after having sat for over a month in front of a computer trying to deliver a project suddenly I felt a serious pain in my gut. I felt bloated and if you excuse me, the efforts in the bathroom didn't relieve or reduce the feeling. Soon the pain was worse than I could imagine being shot by Jack Ruby would be like. I was hunched over. I rushed to B&W hospital in Boston and was treated very diligently by doctors and nurses through my primary's position as the head of this and that department at Harvard Medical School. I had a perforated large intestine due to broken diverticula sacks. Very scary but OK after four days. I was told that I would need surgery to avoid any future attacks. I refused. I was told if I traveled anywhere in the third world I would die if there was to be an attack.
About ten years later I was awakened by the same Jack Ruby searing pain. I made it to the bathroom, which seems to be the first point of refuge for stomach pains, and was about to call 911. But before that I stuck a thermometer in my mouth and soon it read 96.5 F. Well, knowing that the only pain would be from infected sacks, I was comforted. The pain was suddenly less fearful. So, I returned to bed, cracked open my TP Therapy notebook and soon had resolved a series of TPs in the back of my abdominal space. Four or five painful TPs were gone and with them the searing pain. Now I wonder if TPs don't actually contribute to causing diverticula as they certainly interfere with the normal dynamics of the intestines, keeping them from developing the very special muscles that push digested food forward and kneed it for absorption.
Hernia: Gone. Muscles in my inner thigh, in my abdomen, and even the base of my abdomen contributed to a minor hernia that was more of a nuisance than threat are now happily wiped out of my mind. If they come back, they will be wiped again.
Back ache: I never had the nice camber in my back that most good athletes exhibit. I would watch my shadow while skiing to get clues as to my proper position. In 2014 I made it a project to see what muscles were preventing the proper camber, which at my age is more essential in preserving the disks in my spine than anything else. Good news? You bet. I can stand like a ballet dance, sort of like being hung from a string in the middle of my head. All forces flow down to my feet properly and there are no pressure point.
Rolling feet: I used to be quite supinated, and so was my son. Releasing TP's on the inside and outside or our calves have let us use our shoes for much longer! They wear perfectly uniformly.
Osteo of big toe: Massaged the TPs of muscles in front of my shin to extinction. I used to be proud that they were so powerful that I could ski in a semi seated 1970's style of skiing for hours. They were powerful but they pulled on the joints of my big toe and crushed the cartilage there and caused osteoarthritis that is now healing itself slowly. X-rays show it receding, and doctors wonder why. They can't believe the bio-mechanical reason can be so simple.
So, if you are in your twenties or thirties, get going with TP massage and this book is a gold-mine of info and techniques.
Nope, now you've got other muscles involved like the ones that are just trying to keep you upright instead of crawling on the floor. Dont wait! Use this book to explore because its not a straight shot to the culprit of your pain. Explore because you wont want to miss that niggly little point or points that have given you a headache for 3 days. I, personally, use tennis balls,racquet balls and foam rollers to address trigger points. This book is an indispensable guide and resource
Therefore when I developed arm pain I purchased this book and it did not disappoint. It does get a little bit technical as it is written for both practitioners as well as the general public. But the instructions on what to do are simple and very clear and the areas you need to be treating are illustrated.
This is a large book and it covers the entire body. If you are having lasting pain anywhere from the top of your head to your little toe, you might be able to find some help in this book.
All was well, not a serious thing I could tell it was a pinched nerve sort of thing, which my chiropractor confirmed.
It's happened a couple times and I assume/hope having a better understanding of what causes my nerves to get pinched will allow me to prevent this sort of thing in the future.
Annnyyyways, long story short I figured out that my new to me Yoga practice and all my downward dogs and cobras, besides strengthening my shoulders was putting some stress on my neck. Newbie bad, holding tight when and where you're not supposed to.
The scalene muscles in sides of the neck are exactly the ones that were freaking out on me and causing my nerve to be pinched.
It's gonna be different for every one so know your own body, do your own research and basically don't be stupid..see a doctor if you have to.
Once I figured out it was scalene muscles responsible for a trapped/pinched nerve causing my exact symptoms I purchased this book and began the massage techniques in the way described within. Also in all the areas they suggested for my problem.
It is not a fast thing.
But having experienced pinched nerve that made my thumb fuzzy/numb for about 3 months before I knew what to expect.
It still took, maybe 2 months for full recovery of feeling in my fingertips but I was able to do it myself.
No more chiropractor trips (which by the by not sure it was addressing my problem specifically, do your research!)
I like having a book like this on hand so I can massage anything that flares up BEFORE it becomes a full blown problem.
Now since I know where the scalene muscles are and how to press and massage etc I give them some extra treatment after tougher yoga practices to prevent anything from fuuuhhreaking out.
On occasion my husband and I get a shoulder pain that this book has helped us pinpoint a better place to massage and press to bring relief for that tension.
Anyways, it's a small price to pay for information to have on hand at a omen't notice. And if I personally compare it to the price of a chiropractor visit it's waaaaaaaaaaaay cheaper ;)
Index could be a bit better, I have trouble finding the right muscle group for the oain I have.
Muscle Premium [Download
] This book has been a life-saver for me and my family/friends. I am so grateful to Claire Davies for writing it, and to Amber Davies for continuing his work. When I wrecked both shoulders, their Frozen Shoulder workbook saved me. The shoulders are normal today, without surgery. (
The Frozen Shoulder Workbook: Trigger Point Therapy for Overcoming Pain and Regaining Range of Motion
)
I made the mistake of ordering a different book on trigger point therapy for migraines and headaches by a different author and was very dismayed to discover the other book I ordered was not nearly as good or informative as this book.
By identifying the trigger points causing the unusual pattern of radiating pain, and using Penetrex during the trigger point massage, my pain level went from an unrelenting 8-9 to a 6 within 48 hours. I actually took the book in with me and showed my physical therapist the page with the diagram on it. She said that definitely made sense and decided to shift therapy from what the doctor originally recommended (that hadn't worked at all) to match what I was doing at home instead. Improvements in mobility and grip strength along with major pain reduction came quickly after that. Thank you, God! If I hadn't purchased this book, I would still be sleeping 90 minutes a night and spending my days in a painful fog unable to function. Not only has it given me my life back, but it also saved me from continuing to waste hundreds of dollars on doctor appointments and diagnostic tests trying to identify the root cause of the pain. I think this book should be on everyone's shelf!
Say goodbye to constant re-visits to your chiropractor if you dive into this subject with gusto. There is a lot of dull pain to overcome as you will be subjecting yourself to that delicious ache that comes from trigger point activation. I used to go to chiropractors and be absolutely frustrated with how little time was spent actually solving the chronic pain (shoulder and hip for me personally) and the assumption that I was just going to keep coming in every 2 weeks.
Cannot recommend this more highly for anyone who wants to take personal control of their muscle pain/fascia issues. Obviously it won't be for people that have issues beyond the scope of this (trigger points) - but you can always find out fairly quickly if the issue cannot be corrected/managed yourself. If you can fix it on your own, why pay someone else?
My background:
I play badminton 2~3 times a week. Though it's only recreational, I play hard. I started to develop pain in my shoulder. I have pains in other joints too (in medial epicondyle of both elbows, knees, and lower back). I really didn't want this pain to become chronic, so I started looking hard for remedies. Then another Amazon reviewer on a different item recommended this book. It was only about $12 for the Kindle version, and I didn't have anything to lose. It took me a while to find the trigger point (pain felt like it was deep in the shoulder socket area), but ever since I've been massaging multiple trigger points around the shoulder area, I haven't had a problem since, and it's been about 2 years now.
I've also had medial epicondylitis in both elbows for the past 17 years now. When I think about it, it probably started back in college, so add another 5 years to that. The pain was a level 3 or 4, but it started to escalate to a level 5 or 6. I went to two different physical therapists on two different occasions. The pain abated somewhat, but it wasn't enough. After fixing my shoulder, I started to go after my elbow. Well, trigger points affecting my elbows were EVERYWHERE. I found them in my forearms, in my latissimus dorsi muscle (who would have thought?!), in my pectorals, and in my triceps! I can say now that my pain is a level 2 on most days and a level 1 after doing the massages. The problem started more than 20 years ago, and I'm still finding new trigger points affecting this one area. But so far, it's been effective considering I really work my arm when playing badminton.
Back when I was about 6 or 7, I slipped off a sidewalk and ended falling on the edge of the sidewalk with the brunt taken by my right lower back. I had some pain, but xrays showed nothing, and while I could always feel it a bit ever since, it was a level 1 pain on a scale of 0~10 where 10 is debilitating pain. Fast forward to the tender age of 22. I slept on the home sofa bed (done it before), but this time, the same area became very sore, around a level 4 or 5. Went to play basketball (yes, young and dumb), and the pain escalated to 8.5~9. I missed 2 weeks worth of classes. The pain went away eventually, to a level 1~2, so it was manageable. Fast forward again to ~35. I went to the gym and was doing some shoulder exercises (reverse butterfly) and strained the same area. This time, the pain was 7~8. For this, I went to the spine doctor several times. MRI revealed slightly bulging discs and was given cortisone shots. The pains subsided to 3~4, but I could not sustain any activity w/o the pain moving up in scale. I couldn't even do dishes for 10 minutes because the pain would build up again. Driving a car was unpleasant. Finally went to a physical therapist who started giving me massages to the buttocks area and gave me different strengthening exercises. It helped a bit, but it wasn't enough. In the meantime, I started going to the gym for the hot tub and then stretch the buttock/hamstring areas. This started to help. Long story short, I still do my stretching and use a foam roller on trigger points in the buttock area. Most days, the pain is a level 0.5~1.
In this case, even TP therapy can help relieve pain caused directly or indirectly by trauma. Get the book and it will explain. It has to do with other muscles over compensating for the injured area, and thus leads to straining of the otherwise healthy muscles.
I also have knee pain/soreness due to badminton. But after playing each time, I massage the trigger points in the thigh area. The next day, my knees are about a level 0.5. If I don't, it's a level 1.5~2. Recently, I let up on the therapy, and the pain started to creep up to 1.5.
Pros:
- Extremely effective in relieving pain
- Cost of the book, tennis/lacrosse ball, foam roller, massage stick (can substitute with forearm bone for thigh muscle TPs) <<<< multiple trips to the doctor for scans, shots, therapy
- Excellent guide to a pain free life
- You can do this while watching TV
Cons:
- It's a lifelong exercise. You can't stop doing this therapy. My theory as to why older folks (who otherwise have no bone/muscle diseases) really slow down is that pain from TP's cause them to exercise less. I believe this makes the pain problems worse, and it results in a vicious cycle of pain leading to less exercise to more pain to even less exercise.
- It takes time to find certain trigger points and to find results. For my shoulder, it took weeks before I found the correct TP's, same for my elbows.
Get this book now.
The writers are professionals, qualified and serious about a serious subject; many books and web sites address trigger point pain, and many are quite good, but this is all in one place,nothing held back, and read/commented on by doctors who care about the subject.
Loads of info, helpful illustrations, massage guidelines and cautions, advice on when to get in-person professional help.
If you think you have a permanent "cramp" or "charlie horse" or whatever you call your persistent and pain, discomfort, referred pain issues, even ringing ears (jaw muscle problem,often)...read for an understanding of what is happening inside the muscle and tissue. Then read how to properly go about fixing it yourself. This book is helping me, for example, regain lost abilities to exercise properly and sleep far more comfortably, because the pain is slowly but surely getting much better. Plain massage didn't do as much, except help with muscles that had been compensating uncomfortably, and now therapeutic massage is more effective given the I've work done per this book.
Soon I won't look like "something is wrong" when I walk, etc., as long as I keep up the work and a thorough reading of this book. The "read inside" feature here is very generous.
Like any thing else, you have to put in the effort. I usually do it while I watch tv in the evening and as the book suggests, I did it two or three times a day for the first several weeks. Now once a day seems like a good maintenance. I just wanted to pay this forward because of all the benefits it's brought me. If you suffer from pain and are wondering whether or not to give this a try, buy this book and a back body buddy or theracane. It may be the best 50 dollars (for both) you ever spent!
I bought the Kindle edition and though it has links to see the drawings clearly I would recommend buying the book itself. I found it difficult to "flip through" a Kindle edition for this type of hands-on book.
Somewhat perplexing that countless trips to doctors and physical therapists produced less relief than a quick read through this book, but I am glad to have found it regardless.
Note that this book is not for the impatient. While it is possible to find near-immediate relief from certain points, it is more likely that you will need to devote some time (weeks, possibly months) to massaging the more difficult spots, so be prepared to stick with it. It's ultimately worth it!
Fast shipping
excellent book !
I've also been having problems with vertigo. I've had the Epley maneuver performed and that helped with the worst of it but I still have some difficulty. There were too many factors that they couldn't determine the root of my problem. I thought I just had to live with it, my "new normal" as I called it.
A doctor recommended this book for my neck and shoulder pain. I have a muscle that is so tight none of the therapists have been able to get rid of it even with many treatments. While poking around with my Shepherd's Crook I touched on hyper sensitive spots on my neck. I was browsing through the book and it exactly described what I was experiencing. The sensitivity is slowly diminishing and today I noticed I didn't have my usual morning dizziness. Bonus! I can now manage my vertigo too. I couldn't be more excited.
The book is so well organized. I love how you can search by region of the body or condition. The muscles that contribute to the condition are linked to the section in the Kindle book! There is also an accompanying pain guide that you can download from the publisher which is a great quick reference. Kudos to the publisher for making it so user friendly even for a non-healthcare provider!
I'm looking forward to being pain free. Ahhh...
If you have Morton's Foot (or Toe), this will help. If you have long-standing joint or hip pain, I think using trigger point massage is definitely worth a try. I'm going to keep up with it, because I'm pleased with the results.
My background: I am an RN always searching for alternatives to pharmaceuticals and surgeries to help clients achieve an optimum state of health.
In my opinion, this is the only book about trigger points you will ever need. This is the bible of trigger points and it covers absolutely everything. It's not a book where you have to sit down and read it cover to cover ( although I did!!). The book is laid out in different sections to show you different trigger points in every part of the body. For example, it breaks it down to neck, legs, shoulders, back etc, so that you have an easy quick reference for a particular pain. If you have back pain, skip to this areas, etc. It also shows which trigger points can affect different parts of your body. For example, you can have a pain in your back, but it's caused by a trigger in your neck. Have Carpal tunnel? caused by triggers in your arm/shoulder or neck. He shows you where the referred pain is and which triggers to hit. I bought this along with a
Body Back Buddy Classic TM Trigger Point Massager
. I had used a
Thera Cane Massager
in the past, but I really like my BBB. I also have various balls around like lacrosse, tennis and baseballs, to hit the harder to reach areas. I also use a
Rumble Roller Full Size Black
. I have noticed a lot of relief using the points in this book. Sometimes, they can be difficult to find, but eventually, you get to know the tender areas and you have the book for reference. I'm still having a bit of rhomboid pain I'm trying to work thru. Overall, this is an awesome book to have for anyone interested in treating those nasty knots! Happy triggering!
It has lot of drawings that gives you the ability to see TP ,
And the right place to push ...
It is very comprehensive ,
And I enjoy reading it .
Arnon
Detailed Version: I did something to my neck in a martial arts class. I began getting a tightness in trapezious area in upper back. That would cause a stiff neck on right side. That would in turn cause debilitating migraines. I would vomit and be bed bound trying to sleep pain away. I took astronomical amounts of over the counter pain and headache meds. I was sent to physical therapy by my primary Doctor. That aleviated pain for about a month. I was prescribed musle relaxers and migraine meds. I then tried a Chiropractor. No help still. Then I tried trigger point injections in conjuction with physical therapy. Helped for about a month. Time for a second opinion after having to call out of work one to many times do to headaches. They recommended ...... Physical therapy.....WOW. I have spent 8 years and god only knows how much money. Between Co Pays, Prescription meds, over the counter meds, missed work, and dont forget the numerous self help items. Such as massagers, heating/ icing pads, and pillows. Wow I forgot how close to being divorced I was. Do to the over abundance of pillows I would order. I tried every type of pillow to try and not aggrevate my neck. In the end. It was a this inexpensive book that gave me my life back. So please, please if not for yourself, then for your loved ones who also have to deal with the affects of your chronic pain. Try this Trigger point Therapy workbook. I am telling you. I was literally out of my mind in pain at times and with in two days I could start to feel the change. I hope I can save someone the agony I went through with this review.
This book turned out to be the hands-down recommended book on goodreads, and for good reason. It is well written and offers the kind of detail I needed in order to begin taking a more active role in addressing this painfully debilitating problem. The drawings and explanations are great for referencing whatever trigger points one might need to work on in order to free up tightened muscles and re-establish a pain-free existence. The recovery process may be longer than I might have wanted, but I am experiencing results every day, so I highly recommend this book. I may not be completely pain-free, but the results I am experiencing by way of reduced pain, and increased range of motion have helped me to sleep better and understand that painful spots in my body may not necessarily be as obvious as the location of the pain itself.
I read the first 2 chapters, then moving to find out how to work on my neck. I tell you the truth - after working on the FIRST trigger point my neck started to release. I worked on the second trigger point and my range of motion was unbelievably improved. I rotated my head almost pain free for the first time in over 3 years! It was like I had a shot of cortisone. I am not a sensationalist at all - but I had to write a review on this book - it seems like a miracle almost.
This is my experience - it was worth the relatively small investment to give it a try, and I'm so glad I did.
I have personally fixed my previously "unfixable" disabling lower back pain, shoulder injuries, and many other injuries, usually sports related.
The book is a good balance of being technically detailed, yet direct to the point. If it was any less detailed than it is, it would not be useful.
I have read some of the other reviews putting this book down, even one by somebody who had a university degree and thought it was over-whelming - you don't need a degree to read this book, just common sense (which you won't obtain at university - ps, I have a degree myself, but so what ?)
Other people may write that it didn’t work - here's a the only "catch" - you have to spend time reading the book in detail, and take in the information it has - there are many key points which can’t be summarised in 5 minutes of flicking through the pages - trust me, spend the time reading this properly, and the pay off will be big - you will get out what you put in (like most things in life).
It got worse. I had an MRI (slight disc bulge, but nothing that would cause such pain). I tried everything over the next few months - acupuncture, chiropractor, spine drs, orthopedist, physiatrist, neurologist, steroid shot, supplements, stretching, walking through the pain, ice, heat, epsom salt baths 3+ times a day, etc etc. My life became a nightmare of pain - unable to ambulate properly, I had to crawl around my house. I could barely drive. I was given a temp handicap parking placard and told to get a cane. I used to run, bike 40 miles a week, garden, now I was reduced to a cane and suggestions of back surgery in less than a couple of months of being in great shape and NO pain?? My sole of my foot and my back was on fire; other parts of me was starting to deteriorate as a result.
I am a big reviewer on here because I believe in the power of the truth and word of mouth to help others. I also depend on it as well to help me. So I was going through a review of what, I do not remember, maybe a supplement that might alleviate pain, and it mentions looking into trigger point therapy. I am so glad I followed the trail to this book.
By the time I got to this book, it was November 2013. Not quite a year into my hell. My family was suffering, watching me suffer. I would lay around and try not to wince or cry out when I had to get up, knowing my kids were watching. I shuffled around. I missed so many of my kid's activities.
Anyway, I got the Kindle version, and I look in this book as fast as I can for how to manage pain for the sole of my foot. Imagine my surprise - THAT pain originates in my CALF? So I look for the tender spot it tells me to and OUCH! THERE IT IS! Painful, in the meat of my calf. I start to gently work on it. It was painful and would get sore with massage, but I worked through it. This was the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Monday before Thanksgiving - TONS to do. Cleaning for family, shopping, etc. I tell my husband I am going out to get groceries at a couple of different stores, he looks worried. How can you handle it, he asks. He knows I usually can only do about a half hour out then come home and rest. I insist, tired of being so disabled. I go to one, two, three stores. I am out for over 2 hrs. And...THERE IS NO PAIN IN MY FOOT. NONE. I am stunned. No pain from driving, which usually exacerbates it. No limping. Normal gait for the most part, though not perfect due to almost a year of altered gait/limp. UNBELIEVABLE! I come home and my husband comes out to help me, worried that I am going to be in a bad place pain wise. Neither of us can believe how well I was doing considering where I was only a few days before.
Now, I have to get to work on all the other trigger points that have cropped up due to my altered walk, excessive crawling, and poor sleep posture to work around pain, as well as my low back issues.
It took some time. It took work. I ordered the actual book so I can highlight and dog ear pages. For low back pain, your glutes carry some heavy duty trigger points. If you sit a lot, you probably have trigger points.
My foot pain is 100% gone, but after a bike ride I can feel it creep back in. I just pull out my lacrosse ball & roll it out, done. The book warns this can happen, so knowing what to expect and then managing it is most of the battle. Low back pain has cleared up around 80 - 90%. TPs have a tendency to return esp in a cold environment (I'm in Boston) and esp if they've been there a while. So it can be a bit of work but very worth it.
I have lost a lot of muscle so there is a weakness there, I am working on regaining all the strength I lost.
What I cannot understand is why all the specialists I saw in Boston - the land of great doctors! - NONE of them thought of this? Even the PHYSIATRIST? Isn't this supposed to be their specialty, muscle and soft tissue pain mgt & recovery? I told my neuro about TrP and she said "it makes sense".
It's is some work to keep up with all the trigger points that crop up but I do it while watching TV or listening to music.
If you have soft tissue pain that nothing else seems to help, you have NOTHING to lose here. You can also Google your pain symptom and 'trigger point therapy' and find some solutions. There are also great YouTube videos on it.
BTW, if you stretch a tired or cold muscle too fast/too hard it can set off a trigger point. That's what happened with my PT that day. If I had known about trigger point therapy, I could have saved myself from a year of hell on me and my family, as well as the bills.
I recommend a cleaner diet, exercise, fresh air and constant movement versus just sitting. Excessive sitting and lying around make soft tissue pain worse. Stand for half of your tv show. Micro breaks from your laptop. Move around more, get blood flowing, blood flow to an injured area is healing. I love Tiger Balm for night time stiffness or to help get your circulation going on a painful spot.
There are also some good videos and a Ted Talk on the science of pain in the brain that are worth watching. If you have been in pain for a long time, your brain actually can become hypersensitive to even tiny pain stimulus. An exaggerated response. It is important to retrain the brain not to overreact to small incidents. I took a nasty fall on my bike last week and was totally panicked, as I have not fully recovered from this past year's trauma. I was hurting that day pretty bad but it didn't turn into anything more than sore arms & shoulders for a couple of days. I had to keep telling myself not every boo boo turns into a year's worth of pain. It helps!
Please get in touch if you have more questions or input.
*UPDATE June 1, 2014*
I keep learning from this book. One thing I think has helped keep pain/discomfort at bay is the use of a SMALL KID BALL in addition to the lacrosse ball. I got into the habit of using the lacrosse ball and it works well, but I started to get more pain in the hips & tightness in lower back. Over the last 2 weeks I started using the small ball and it really got into the tight, deep muscle tissue that needed attention, that even the lacrosse ball couldn't reach. I am finding new relief now, just in time for summer activities. The knowledge I have gained from this book has absolutely made a difference in my back pain. Give it a try, it may well be the most affordable & most effective solution you come across.
*Update* Sept 6, 2014
I am still finding great relief with TrP therapy. Not only through this book but online. YouTube has many instructional videos on how to work out TrP if the book is too technical or if you need a visual. I am finding that I need to work on the QL TrPs. I found a great set of TrP balls in all the sizes I was missing,from tiny to lacrosse ball size, I just received them and they work very well.
[...]
They are only $20 for the set plus about $6 to ship. I have no connection to this company, FYI. They should have an Amazon listing but they don't I wonder why?
I would also like to remind anyone starting out the process of working on their TrPs NOT to go overboard. It is very easy to do. You start out, it feels SO good to work out the knots, you are feeling better and better. Then you assume that MORE is BETTER. Maybe you start rolling the TrPs too hard or too much each day or too much in one session. This is where you might set off excess soreness. You have to be careful with the QL muscles (most of us have TrPs there but don't know it until you get in there with a small TrP ball) or you might cause back spasms. I had a chiropractor overwork my QL's and set off a horrific week of spasms before I discovered TrP therapy. So go slow and careful, it will pay off.
*UPDATE* Feb 11, 2015
I am still finding great relief with TrP therapy. I joined a gym for the 1st time in a decade to get me through this hard Boston winter and was surprised how many people at the gym were ending their workouts with trigger point therapy methods - rolling out on balls or foam rollers, trainers using them on clients, etc. It has caught on as a medicine free, effective way to manage your muscle aches.
I have also found that I need a truly functional space to do my TrP sessions. I have put holes in several walls in my house, so now only the basement cement wall will do. Fortunately, I have the perfect space. A cement wall a few feet from a pool table. I can put a small TrP ball against the wall in my glute area, grab hold of the pool table for leverage, then manipulate the ball into some of the hardest to reach spots by bending over slightly and pushing myself into the ball. (Does this sound perverted? Sorry, this is how it has to be done to find relief! I wouldn't want a massage therapist to try and dig around there to work them.)I have found great pain release from working these hard to reach glute points. For back pain that is not getting better despite best efforts, the glute and hip flexor points are key. Keeping up with my TrPs a few times a week really helps.
Women in perimenopause should note that because of our changing hormone levels, your body is PRONE to trigger points as well as random aches & pains that cannot be found on any tests other than a series of hormone test through out your cycle. For some women in major hormone flux it can be severe enough for you to be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia. Yes there are some true cases of those diseases that are not related to hormones or trigger points, but there are also women being misdiagnosed & sent home with RX's for anti-depressants & way too strong pain meds. Do your research. A balanced - KEY WORD IS BALANCED - hormone therapy (like bio hormone replacements) as well as exercise, diet, TrP, and improved digestion (which diminished greatly around 40-45 in women) will make a difference in your pain levels.I am working with a gifted endocrinologist who tests my blood 2x a month so we can get the best picture how to manage my perimenopause. I do not have CFS or fibromyalgia, but I do notice that trigger points crop up more often now that my blood tests reveal I am primenopausal.
*UPDATE* September 29, 2015
Still loving TrP therapy. I travel with 2 sizes of balls when I fly so that I can roll out those knots that can happen after being cramped on a plane. Still find that most of my knots originate in my glutes. I no longer have any foot pain.
I try and tell others about it without sounding too "gushy" and most people just "mm-hmm" me and then forget about it. I don't want to sound like trigger point therapy is the unicorn that will take away everyone's aches and pains, but too many are missing out on medication-free pain relief because doctors or physical therapists aren't offering it as an option.
*UPDATE* August 31, 2016
I am still actively and successfully using TrP therapy to manage my low back, as well as misc aches and pains that crop up. Now that I'm 46, parts of me gets achy when I overwork it or sleep in an odd position. About 3 times a week I spend a half hour or more with my super bounce rubber ball and a concrete wall. The relief! I think some wonder why I haven't been "cured" of low back pain if I am so enthusiastic about TrP. I ruptured my L4-L5 disc in my late 20's, which puts my low back at a higher risk for aches and pain when I sit too long on something soft, or work too hard in the garden. Before I found this therapy, I used to get so tight, manage my aches with Advil, and wait for it to pass, usually a few days. Now that I am middle aged, my body doesn't bounce back quite like that anymore. I still travel with the rubber ball. There are times when I can throw my back out and it gets inflamed - trigger point therapy does not help that. Then I reach for Advil. Otherwise, this is still my favorite go to muscle and joint soother.
*UPDATE* March 19, 2017
Still love it, still providing me great relief. I joined a gym this winter & it has the most perfect spot for me to "roll out" after I exercise. I listen to a podcast and get to work. Well built walls - no holes yet!
Occasionally, that same pain will creep into my right foot after various activities. Now that I know what to do, I roll out my calf trigger points right away & find relief within a day. I wish physical therapists would introduce a home regimen of TrP in addition to the exercise plan for recovery and relief.
Just an interesting anecdote - JK Rowling (author of Harry Potter series for the handful of those that might not know) has tweeted this year about having back pain that feels better when she digs into it with the corner of her sofa. She has trigger points too, apparently!
*UPDATE* April 30, 2018
I still use Trigger Point Therapy on a weekly basis. Still my go to relief for the aches and pains that come with being active and middle aged. I have woken up in the middle of the night with a painful knot in my glutes that I rolled right out in a few minutes. Give it a try, you have nothing to lose.
*UPDATE* APRIL 24, 2019
I still find that rolling out with a little ball is some of the best therapy for achy, aging muscles & joints. I go to a gym, I see people rolling out all the time. The word is officially out & I feel so *validated*. However - I noticed this review has been "filtered for content sensitivity". ??? What? Why? This is a positive review with nothing but praises, Someone explain the algorithm to me, please!
*UPDATE* JAN 30, 2020
I still roll out my knots almost daily, esp since I’m working full time and end up sitting more than I used to. In the past few years TRPT has really caught on, even my son’s sports group coach asked the kids to bring in their own lacrosse balls for an after practice cool down roll out. There are so many affordable tools available now plus how-to videos/articles/charts that everyone can access. I’m loving the hand held roller balls that glide easily and can even be put in freezer for extra pain relief. Also makes it easier to roll out my husband’s back, who is *just now* starting to need it. I have also fixed all the holes (3) I put in my walls from rolling. Plaster walls are not great for the heavy duty glute work! Always remember that are certain areas that should not be rolled out aggressively because of arteries, on the neck and behind the knee. Look it up for specifics so you can avoid but still work therapeutically in those areas. Also, I’ve probably noted before, it can be easy to overdo it at first, esp when you start to feel relief. I have dug in too deep sometimes and ended up more sore than I should have. Go easy at first as you find your true sweet spot. Happy rolling!
I have been suffering from this pain for four years and have been to every doctor you can think of. It started with my colon with severe constipation, then week by week the pain spread into my hip, thigh, and foot. I had surgery to repair a rectocele in my rectum but did not get any relief from pain.
After reading "A Headache in the Pelvis", which was informative and helpful. This book mentioned The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook and I ordered it. I believe with this book and continued progressive relaxation practiced I will get well.
Just a tip I did not realize. Tension in the body is the cause of most chronic pain in the body. Relax your mind and body!
Using various techniques, a thereapis will locate and remove trigger points whereveb they are Great book
The wonderful thing about this book is that it's organized like a troubleshooting guide. You identify where the pain is or what activities cause pain and it shows all the muscles that could be causing it. You can then go through muscle by muscle until you identify the pain. It gives you step-by-step instructions on how to identify the correct muscle, how to massage it, and even areas to be careful about such as those near major arteries.
Many of the common sources of pain people experience are often misdiagnosed and are caused by trigger points instead. This allows you to see if trigger points are the source. If not, you can always pursue other paths such as surgery, but in many cases you don't need to.
Most of the massage techniques can be performed with a tennis ball. I used a tennis ball for years and just recently tried using a lacrosse ball. While both are effective, the lacrosse ball is now my preferred method because it gives a firmer massage and doesn't slip against the wall. But either will work well. I also have a Theracane which I highly recommend. It's great for tough-to-reach spots.
This is the most empowering pain-management books I've read. The great thing is, it doesn't just help you manage pain, it also helps you get to the root source and cure it.
Most recently this book has greatly assisted in eliminating a pain in my wrist that was so great that push-ups were unthinkable and unbearable. Within a week of working on only a couple of shoulder and back muscles, my wrist is feeling great again.
I highly recommend this book to newcomer and professional alike.
This 3rd Edition is even more comprehensive. Each section as in the past, now contains a list of ailments and where to locate them in the book, so it's like a more general table of contents. The index is still pretty comprehensive. The format is similar to the 2nd edition, listing what are the symptoms, cause and treatment.
Things are just more in detail that weren't, and there are more tools to help you find what you need. It still has the diagrams of where the grayed out areas are where the pain is and then the black dots are where the trigger points are. I love the explanations and examples that they give, real life stuff, so it helps you relate.
I only have one copy of the 3rd Edition right now and several copies of the 2nd Edition. I'm sure I'll buy more copies of the 3rd Edition. My kids also know that if they are experiencing pain in their bodies, the first thing they go to is the book or have me work out the trigger points.
If the trigger point stuff doesn't work, then we seek an alternative method.
That's it.
It's absolute genius. Don't even think about- just buy it.
We play volleyball, surf, rock climb,ski, backpack and are forever tweaking some little muscle. Seriously in minutes you can look up where the pain originated and get into that spot with a tennis ball and -well- make it go away. It sounds too good to be true.
I also suffered from a torn labrum and bicep tendonitis for years and the other book ( for shoulders) is a miracle. I used it daily and it was key in my self treatment plan. Shoulders are covered in this book too but not as in depth.
Thanks!
Jack
"For most people, most of the time, confirming a trigger point diagnosis is this simple. Check all that apply -- if you
have more than half of these, you probably have some trigger points.
Your pain usually occurs in specific areas of your body.
The problem feels more like muscles than joints.
Your pain is primarily dull, aching, and nagging.
You feel a lot of stiffness as well as pain.
Affected areas feel weak and heavy.
Stretching is appealing.
Hot showers and baths are almost always helpful."
I answered yes to almost all these questions and then bought this book to start my quest of finding trigger points. By the end of the third day I had found 5+ painful muscle points at and above my neck! It's hard to tell if all of them are trigger point by definition but they were painful and unnoticeable without the instructions in this book.
It has been 3 weeks since I bought the book and a lot of my pain in different areas of my body is gone. I feel like as I clear some painful areas I find some more of them so I guess this is going to be a long term process. It feels amazingly good to "know" what the problem is. You will know what I mean if you have visited several specialists or generalists and only got blank eyes (or worse weird and complicated theories involving very rare disorders) when you described your pain.
If you indeed have this problem (use the quick check list) then this book is like a map to your body. It is freakishly accurate at times, with statements similar to: 'put your hand to your opposite shoulder and your trigger point in X muscle will open up for massage'.
If you're not sure, just buy this book. The worst that'll happen is you'll learn a great deal about your body. In the best case however, you'll feel amazingly well.
Well written. So informative. Every massage therapist must own and read this book I recommend to all my clients.
I have 1st addition, 2nd addition, and now 3rd addition on my I pad and I will probably buy a hard copy of the 3th addition also. I can't say enought good things about this book and the information in it. Get this book read it again and again everyone needs to understand the principles and concepts in this book. A big thank you to the authors for writing this book. No I'm not related to them I live in Iowa I did take their class In Madison Wisconsion over ten years ago and my 1st addition book is totally worn out. Each new addition has improved over the previous one.
It is really good one.
rescue. The drawings and accompanying dialog were most helpful.
I also notice that many of the reviews are about the FIRST and SECOND EDITIONS. There are many improvements to the THIRD EDITION! None of these books are difficult to understand, one does not need a medical background to comprehend the instructions given. Of course, having some medical or massage training will make it easier to use, but anyone should be able to find help in these books. Even if you have one of the earlier editions, go ahead and buy the THIRD edition, you will not be disappointed!
Massage therapy or chiropractor visits give only temporary relief.
An experienced physical therapist is great but not all have extensive training to actually SOLVE the muscular problem, they just relieve it for a short while.
After ordering this book and reading it I began to understand why previous therapists never fixed our problems and started looking for a PT who offered Trigger Point Therapy. We found an excellent person locally. Without this book I would not have known what to ask for.
When one of us gets a back muscle pull (most common) we use a tennis ball (lying flat on the floor) or the other person does the pressure point. This is really useful when out of town and no therapist is available.
Getting older means more muscle pains but now we can relieve them ourselves or go to a professional trained in this therapy. It's as different as night is to day between Trigger Point and regular massage therapy.
The new edition has a number of additions and improvements that makes this book better than ever. It is now easier to find all of the muscles that may harbor trigger points that refer pain to where you hurt. Updated information that reflects exciting research about myofascial trigger points is included. Revised information about the importance of stretching is a welcome addition.
Davies has provided a wealth of information for anyone suffering with musculoskeletal pain. I am certain that this new edition will be well received and become even more popular than the previous two editions.