“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 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
“…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
“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
“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, DC, instructor at the Utah College of Massage Therapy
“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
From the Publisher
This is a revised and expanded second edition of the authors 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
From the Back Cover
Drug-free, self-care solutions to chronic painDoctors who specialize in pain treatment suggest that trigger points, small contraction knots in the muscles of the body, are the primary cause for about 75 percent of chronic pain cases. They further report finding trigger points in virtually every patient they treat.
Because trigger points nearly always refer pain to parts of the body other than where they re located, diagnosing and treating them is difficult if you don t know what you re looking for.
This workbook teaches you exactly what to look for when assessing trigger points. Its clear illustrations show you where on the body trigger points form and the corresponding areas to which they refer pain. Then, in step-by-step detail, it explains how you can treat these sources of chronic pain with unusually effective massage techniques you can do by yourself at any time.
This fully revised and expanded edition of the first and best self-care guide to trigger point therapy includes progressive muscle relaxation techniques that reinforce and support your trigger point therapy. It also offers specific information for bodywork professionals who want to include trigger point therapy in their practices.
If you ve struggled with chronic pain without finding relief, you owe it to yourself to learn and practice the techniques in this workbook easy, reliable skills that offer real, lasting relief without drugs, doctor visits, and costly medical bills.
About the Author
Now deceased, Clair Davies, NCTMB (Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork), specialized in trigger point massage for the treatment of pain. Mr. Davies’s interest in massage began when he successfully self-treated a frozen shoulder with trigger point massage. Inspired by the experience, he began an intensive private study of trigger points and referred pain. He subsequently retired from a thriving piano service business to attend the Utah College of Massage Therapy where he trained as a professional massage therapist. From his home base in Lexington, Kentucky, Mr. Davies traveled extensively with his daughter Amber, leading continuing education workshops for professionals on trigger point massage. Clair Davies died peacefully at home in 2006 of colon cancer.
Now deceased, foreword writer David G. Simons, MD, coauthored of Travell & Simons Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual
