Pain Relief With Trigger Point Self-Help

Trigger points can refer pain to other areas of the body, in addition to referring pain locally. Pain Relief With Trigger Point Self-Help teaches readers where to search for trigger points, how to treat them by applying pressure and doing stretches, and how to prevent trigger points from forming by making simple lifestyle changes, practicing proper body mechanics, and addressing nutritional deficiencies and other pertinent medical issues. Although Pain Relief With Trigger Point Self-Help was written for any person who wants to successfully treat their own pain, it is also an invaluable reference for any kind of health care provider whose patients suffer from either chronic or acute pain.

... very informative, clear to read, with good self-help suggestions and large, bold pictures and diagrams to look at. The information provided will make excellent knowledge for anyone that wants to understand and achieve pain relief. I will also recommend this book to any practitioner to use as a guide to give their patients some self directed exercises and self trigger point pain relief. --Positive Health Magazine, August 2011

This is a very well laid out book full of information and pictures. It has full detailed information of Trigger Points, what they are, what causes them, Trigger Point pressure and stretch techniques. There is a detailed introduction with very down to earth discussion around pain, the continuum of pain and the importance of seeking medical help if it is severe. The first chapter has gone into great detail of anatomy and physiology which is very informative and interesting. Studies such as Shah et al. (2008) and Steen (1996) are quoted along with other detailed medical information. There is a wealth of information on biomechanics, nutrition, food, and beverages. This I feel makes the book informative while still not too high brow. In the main body of the book, there are detailed pictures of the pained areas, their trigger points, and how exactly to treat each area. This self-help book teaches those interested where to find these painful nodules that form in the muscle fibres and connective tissues and how to treat them with the appropriate pressure and which stretches. It has also interesting information around simple lifestyle changes which can be adapted to achieve proper body mechanics. This book is full of pictures which cater for the more kinaesthetic learner, placed alongside detailed information, to ensure that all learning styles are provided for. There are suggested symptoms, and general diagnoses with detailed solutions. Valerie DeLaune is a licensed acupuncturist and certified therapist who has created a fabulous book with information which is easily understood and followed. This book has interested me as a sports therapist and is an invaluable tool for sufferers and health professionals. The author is clearly enthusiastic, highly skilled, and informed on the subject of massage and trigger points. I feel that the information available to the reader is clear and informative without being too complicated for every level of reader. I totally enjoyed this book and would find it an invaluable tool when evaluating my sports massage clients to advise them on some self-massage techniques and would have no problem recommending it to others. --Physical Therapy Reviews, December 2012

Pain Relief with Trigger Point Self-Help is very informative and clearly written. The text, which will be easily comprehensible to non-healthcare professionals, is accompanied by illustrations akin to those used by Simons et al. (1999a, b) in their classic two-volume work on the subject. Although marketed as a self-help book for patients, it doubles well as a reference text for practitioners. DeLaune describes common symptoms for each muscle, and also outlines possible differential diagnoses to ensure that more-problematic musculoskeletal problems are not overlooked by non-healthcare professionals. The initial chapters deal with the causes and perpetuation of trigger points, and provides solutions to these issues. This section will be of great use to both medical practitioners and patients seeking advice about self-help. DeLaune discusses how lifestyle factors can contribute to trigger point activation. The chapters in Part 1, "Trigger Points - What Are They and What Cause Them?", describe a holistic approach to treating muscle pain, and contain brief summaries of pertinent details of nutrition, physiology and body mechanics. Those in Part 2, "Trigger Point Pressure and Stretch Techniques", adopt a regional approach to the anatomical areas that are covered. Each muscle is distinguished with a diagram of its location, and details of why it may require treatment and where its abnormal tensions may refer are provided. DeLaune describes a great many trigger point release techniques involving tennis balls and other freely available props, such as towels and socks. This information is particularly useful for practitioners who need to demonstrate these approaches to patients who will attempt to self-release trigger points at home. Pain Relief with Trigger Point Self-Help is an extremely well thought out reference book for beginner manual therapists or knowledgeable patients, and is a useful aid to locating trigger points and self-directing treatment of these sensitive areas. --Stuart Elwell BSc, Assistant First Team Physiotherapist, West Bromwich Albion Football Club, Journal of the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists

This fantastic book looks at the causes of chronic pain and trigger points painful nodules that form in muscle fibres and connective tissues, and teaches the reader where to search for trigger points in order to self-heal. The book focuses on every muscle in the body, from the head and neck to deep intrinsic foot muscles, and each section is packed full of illustrations and photography to guide the reader, along with solutions to chronic pain which include stretches, lifestyle tips, diet and the use of supplements. At over 300-pages long, this comprehensive book is highly recommended for health care practitioners and those wishing to treat their own pain. --Yoga magazine