Product Description

Trigger point therapy is one of the most intriguing and fastest-growing bodywork styles in the world. Medical doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapists are all beginning to use this technique to relieve formerly undiagnosable muscle and joint pain—conditions that studies have shown to be the cause of nearly 25 percent of all doctor visits. The technique involves applying short, repeated massage strokes to trigger points, tiny contraction knots in muscle tissue where restricted circulation and lack of oxygen cause referred pain. 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. This dynamic technique has made a huge impact among health professionals and the public alike, becoming an overnight classic in the field of pain relief. The book has sold over 220,000 copies since the release of the first edition in 2001. The second edition is a complete update and includes a new chapter specifically for massage professionals, as well as a chapter on systematic muscle relaxation techniques that can reinforce the therapeutic power of trigger point work.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #542 in Books
• Published on: 2004-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 323 pages

Amazon.com Review
The first edition of this workbook is regarded as a classic in its field, and was the first book to introduce trigger point therapy to the general public as a self-care tool for alleviating chronic pain caused by a variety of conditions, including arthritis, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, headache, muscle ache, and repetitive strain injuries. As the author makes clear, all such conditions are related to lack of oxygen in exhausted or injured muscle tissue. Trigger point therapy has been used for decades by doctors, pain specialists, and massage therapists to quickly stimulate the flow of oxygen and promote rapid pain reduction. This book makes the same techniques available to the general public with instructions that are easy to follow, and abetted by an extensive collection of charts and corresponding illustrations.

The author’s interest in trigger point therapy began when he used it to successfully treat his frozen shoulder. Since that time, he has dedicated himself to teaching others the same techniques. That dedication is obvious throughout his writing and the care he takes to make the therapy understandable to the lay public. Also included in this new edition is updated information that should be of great interest to pain specialists and bodyworkers, as well as useful instruction in a variety of relaxation techniques. Overall, this book is an excellent self-care resource for anyone interested in pain relief.--Larry Trivieri Jr.

From the Publisher
This is a revised and expanded second edition of the author’s previous best-seller, The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook. The book features a foreword from David G. Simons, MD, coauthor of Travell and Simons Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual.

The proven method for overcoming soft-tissue pain, now available in a practical, step-by-step format. Helps ease the following conditions: · Fibromyalgia · Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome · Low Back Pain · Carpal Tunnel Syndrome · Tennis Elbow · Neck and Jaw Pain · Frozen Shoulder Pain · Arthritis · Headaches · Sore Knees and Feet · Accident Trauma · Joint Pain and Muscle Aches · Sports and Repetitive Strain Injury

From the Inside Flap
"I have long been a believer in and practitioner of trigger point therapy. I certainly recommend this book to the general public and health care practitioners. It is truly an excellent resource and provides the tools that induce self-healing and empowerment." —Bernie S. Siegel, MD, author of Love, Medicine, and Miracles and Prescriptions for Living and former student of Janet Travell, MD, author of Travell and Simons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual

"This is . . . a well-organized, easy-to-use handbook that will indeed help sufferers of myofascial pain learn to treat themselves with effective self-massage techniques. The detail and clarity of the book's format will also make it invaluable to pain physicians who want to be able to teach their patients useful, simple strategies to manage soft tissue pain problems." —Joseph F. Audette, MD, instructor at Harvard Medical School and director of Outpatient Pain Services at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Medford, MA "This is a useful book for anyone in chronic pain. There are few resources like this one, which empowers the reader to understand the problem and offers the tools to manage it. The approach to managing pain described in this book will help many take control of a significant part of their health and will become a valuable lifelong reference." —Scott M. Fishman, MD, chief of the Division of Pain Medicine in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University of California, Davis and author of The War on Pain

"As a medical doctor who has been challenged by patients experiencing chronic pain, including those suffering from long-standing cases of fibromyalgia, I appreciate a safe solution for their problem. I believe this book, revealing that trigger point therapy may safely relieve chronic pain, should be in the hands of every doctor." —Terry Shepherd Friedmann, MD, author of Freedom Through Health

"Literally millions of people will be helped—and billions of dollars saved in unnecessary treatments and medications—as people and professionals finally begin to understand the role of muscles, referred pain, and trigger points in eliminating pain. Davies has provided an important bridge between the many helping professions that deal with people in pain and their patients." —Robert Uppgaard, DDS, author of Taking Control of TMJ

"…trigger point massage therapy may be the most effective treatment known for a wide variety of pain problems, including fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome." —C. Norman Shealy, MD, Ph.D., founding president of the American Holistic Medical Association and author of The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies

"Properly used, the information in Davies’s book should enable many people with myofascial trigger point disorders to participate effectively in treating their conditions. The book should be especially useful to those who do not have ready access to a practitioner familiar with the diagnosis and treatment of these common muscular problems." —Michael D. Reynolds, MD, rheumatologist

"The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook is a welcome and timely addition to the worlds of personal wellness, pain relief, and self-care. The author creates a highly effective form of pain therapy that anyone can learn. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of self-applied therapeutic bodywork." —Robert K. King, founder and president of the Chicago School of Massage Therapy

"I have personally benefited from the therapeutic effects of trigger point massage and I believe it deserves official recognition in the medical world. I hope physicians will study these self-treatment techniques and recommend them to their patients." —Rose Marie Hackett, DO, osteopathic physician and radiologist

"As a chiropractor for twelve years and an instructor of trigger point therapy at the Utah College of Massage Therapy for ten years, I found Davies’ book very accurate and complete. His graphics and illustrations make it easy to show patients and clients ways to improve quality of life. I believe the book will be a valuable asset to all health care practitioners who use trigger point therapy." —David B. Thomson, BS, DC, instructor at the Utah College of Massage Therapy

"This must-have book gives practical methods for dealing with chronic pain in a format that is easy to use, and it works! I’m a believer!" —Jo Ann Gillaspy, MS, RN, editor of The Nephrology Resource Directory

"Professional bodyworkers can use this book to sharpen their skills and to help improve the treatment of their clients. This self-treatment method will enable any motivated person to take personal responsibility for his or her own health to a whole new level." —Stephen Yates, NCTMB

"This well-written book makes it easy to locate muscles and trigger points. Massage therapists and physical therapists will appreciate the ingenious techniques the author has devised to prevent injury and discomfort to the hands while treating the source of pain." —Ann Luray Hatton, neuromuscular therapist

Customer Reviews

Essential for body awareness
I have been giving this book as a gift, together with "Back Care Basics," since I discoverd its value in taking care of my body. I learned that many of the exercises I have used in the past, even those recommended by physical therapists, were actually doing damage to my muscles. Through the knowledge I acquired in this book, I am more able to help myself. I have severe back problems (scoliosis) and have been able to identify the muscles involved in my "out of balance" condition. I am 65 years old and do not expect a cure for my damaged spine; I believe, though, that if I had this information 20 years ago, much of that damage could have been prevented. Even now,physicians are amazed that I am not in a wheelchair. I have also been able to alleviate the discomfort in many other stressed muscles throughout my body.

A lot of pages
I like short to the point books. I bought this with the use of a body back buddy. I don't know if I will be able to read every page, but there is a lot of good info in this book. To me some of it is obvious, but then again a lot of it is new info. I think it was worth the money. And glad I got it.

Buy it, it's worth every penny. Changed my life.
I suffered from severe, sometimes debilitating upper back, neck, and head pain for over 15 years from abuse I suffered from sports and weight training. I followed the clear instructions in this book to find trigger points and get rid of them, and now I am pain free. No doctor, chiropractor, massage therapist, or physical therapist could help, but this $14 book helped me cure myself. I've sent 3 more copies to family and friends who also have found success using this simple, well documented, well written, and excellently illustrated book. For less then the price of one doctor's copay, you may be pain free.