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 145,000 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: #508 in Books
• Published on: 2004-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 323 pages

Amazon.com
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.

Book Info
(New Harbinger Publications) Workbook/handbook, for consumers, offers sufferers of myofascial pain ways to treat themselves with effective self-massage techniques. Includes halftone line drawings illustrating techniques. Softcover.

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

Customer Reviews

It worked, and apparently it is not quackery
The author ties his narrative to medical research, along with the enthusiasm of convert. There is a good chance this is actually a revolutionary technique. I am no expert, but my apprentice blundering is easing the pain in my ears that is apparently a consequence of TMJ problems. My teeth are starting to meet right. My Dr. sent me to get a MRI and found nothing in my head and offered some anti inflamatory, meds which did help a little. The book helped more tho. I would reccommend it as a well made tool.

It Works!! It Really Works!!
I have had this book now for a couple of years. After many years of neck, back and shoulder pain, and many diagnostic tests, I gave up on doctors and found this book. The massage procedures in this book have helped me with not only neck, back and shoulder pain from a car accident I was in over 13 years ago, but have also helped me with what I thought was a severely sprained ankle. The book is well organized so that you can go to the page in the book for the part of your body where the pain is occurring. There you can find all the names of the muscles that are the likely suspects in which trigger points would be to cause the pain and the corresponding page numbers for instructions on the massage techniques for these muscles.

The pain comes back in my neck because of the damage that was done to my neck, but it is not as severe and relief is just a massage away. I only have to take over the counter anti-inflammatories once in a while. It has been a miracle for me. I was so happy with the results I had, I bought three copies of the book and gave one to each of my three sisters who have all been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It works! It really works!!

Excellent book - very helpful!
This book was recommended to me because I have been dealing with chronic pain across my forehead, in my upper back, my lower back, and my calves. At first glance the book seemed overwhelming but once I started reading I thought it was very well laid out. The book is organized by areas of pain, the trigger points are well described, and instructions on how to find them and work on them are great.

The book also lists possible underlying causes for the pain. As it turns out my pain seems to be caused by a misaligned spine which seems to be caused by misaligned feet, limb length difference, and hammer toes. I am waiting on my custom orthotics which will hopefully alleviate this problem.