Trigger Point Therapy for Myofascial Pain: The Practice of Informed Touch [Paperback]

Donna Finando L.Ac. L.M.T. (Author), Steven Finando Ph.D. L.Ac. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2, 2005

A clinical reference manual for the evaluation and treatment of muscle pain

• Contains detailed illustrations of pain patterns and trigger-point locations

• 15,000 copies sold in first hardcover edition

Myofascial pain syndromes are among the fastest growing problems that physicians, osteopaths, acupuncturists, and physical, occupational, and massage therapists encounter in their patients. In Trigger Point Therapy for Myofascial Pain Donna and Steven Finando have organized vast amounts of information on treating myofascial pain into an accessible "user's manual" for healthcare practitioners. They examine a wide range of pain patterns and present evaluation and palpation techniques for reducing trigger points--and thereby alleviating pain--in the most clinically significant musculature of the body.

This comprehensive yet easy-to-use reference guide to treatment of muscle pain begins with chapters on the concept of Qi and its relationship to myology, specific trigger point location and activation, and palpatory skill-building techniques. Subsequent sections provide detailed information on each muscle to teach clinicians to locate quickly and accurately individual points of pain and compensation. A visual index allows easy identification of the muscles that may be involved. Trigger Point Therapy for Myofascial Pain provides necessary and invaluable information for sufferers and any professional involved with myofascial disorders.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Mark D. Seem, Ph.D., L.Ac., President, Tri-State College of Acupuncture, author of Bodymind Energetics, A New American Acupuncture, and Acupuncture Physical Medicine
:

"Knowing how to touch the human body when it is in distress is the skill that links bodyworkers with physical--and oriental--medicine practitioners.  Nowhere is this knowledge more developed than in the seminal work on trigger-point release of Drs. Janet Travell and David Simons.  Their magnum opus now becomes eminently accessible in this clinically pragmatic manual. Informed Touch belongs in the office of every professional practicing a physical medicine of any kind."

Roberta F. Shapiro, D.O., Albert Einstein College of Medicine
: "Never before have the disciplines of myofascial pain release and meridian therapy been so beautifully and practically connected. Simply put, this book is a must for all practitioners of hands-on medicine."


Marilyn Freedman, P.T., certified childbirth educator : "Donna and Steven Finando have married some of the finest techniques that eastern and western physical medicine have to offer.  Incredibly, they have done this in a single text, with excellent graphics, charts, and guidelines to specific soft-tissue work.  This essential guide takes the place of many large volumes, especially when information is needed immediately.  I highly recommend Informed Touch for not only the experienced practitioner, but for students as well."

Roberta F. Shapiro, D.O., Albert Einstein College of Medicine

:

"Simply put, this book is a must for all practitioners of hands-on medicine."

Steven L. Rosenblatt, M.D., Ph.D., L.Ac., founder and past president of the California Acupuncture College : "This insightful book points out a new direction in medical therapeutics. It clearly delineates where the energetic field of the body intersects and animates the physical structure. By acting at this intersection, true healing can take place."


Tami Brady, TCM Reviews : ". . . in addition to those professional healing touch practitioners wanting to stretch their skills or needing a good myofascial pain reference book, that I also suggest this book to those who suffer from chronic pain and those that do any sort of physical activity that could result in muscular pain and fatigue."


Charlotte Michael Versagi, Massage Magazine, Nov-Dec 2005 : ". . . written carefully and thoughtfully, as if gently guiding the reader into an intimate understanding of what's happening in the body when a trigger point is present."


Diane Donovan, Bookwatch, April 2006 : "Any who suffer from muscle pain will find her methods specific and useful, based on her acupuncture and massage background and studies with Janet Travell, MD, a pioneer in pain management."

From the Back Cover

BODYWORK

Myofascial pain syndromes are among the fastest growing problems that physicians, osteopaths, acupuncturists, and physical, occupational, and massage therapists encounter in their patients. In Trigger Point Therapy for Myofascial Pain Donna and Steven Finando have organized vast amounts of information on treating muscle pain into an accessible and comprehensive clinical reference manual for healthcare practitioners. They examine a wide range of pain patterns and present evaluation and palpation techniques for reducing trigger points--and thereby alleviating pain--in the most clinically significant musculature of the body.

This revised and fully expanded edition of Informed Touch begins with chapters on the concept of qi and its relationship to myology, the reasons for trigger point development, and palpatory skill-building techniques. Subsequent sections provide detailed information on individual muscles to teach clinicians to locate quickly and accurately specific points of pain and patterns of compensation. In addition to anatomical diagrams of trigger points and pain patterns, each muscle discussion includes illustrations showing self-help stretching techniques for home care. A visual index summarizes pain patterns and the muscles that may be involved. Trigger Point Therapy for Myofascial Pain is an invaluable resource for any professional involved with myofascial disorders.

DONNA FINANDO, L.Ac., L.M.T., has taught myology and myofascial meridian therapy throughout the country for more than twenty years. STEVEN FINANDO, Ph.D., L.Ac., is currently on the advisory board for the New York Chiropractic College School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Both studied extensively with Janet Travell, M.D., a pioneer in the field of pain management. Donna and Steven live on Long Island, New York, where they have been in continual practice for the past twenty-nine years.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Healing Arts Press (September 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594770549
• ISBN-13: 978-1594770548
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,575 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > Medical Books > Allied Health Professions > Physical Therapy
  • #28 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Aging > Chronic Pain

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

171 of 172 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Trigger Point Book That Hits The Spot!, February 3, 2008

By 

Karen - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trigger Point Therapy for Myofascial Pain: The Practice of Informed Touch (Paperback)

What a great book. Know first of all that it's written more for clinicians, such as massage therapists. If you have no medical background, you may get confused with some of the medical terms such as abduction.

Having said that, for practitioners who treat musculoskeletal pain, this book is the best trigger point therapy book I've come across. After spending a few chapters covering some of the basics on topics such as the nature of trigger points, Qi, informed touch, etc, the book gets right to the reason why you probably bought the book- the trigger points.

The book does an excellent job of covering all the muscles of the body and their associated trigger points. But that's not where it ends. Besides having some of the best muscle pictures you could ask for, each section on a particular muscle ALSO covers pain patterns a specific trigger point could produce, as well as stretching and strengthening exercises- nice!! While the stretches are clearly depicted, the strengthening exercises are only described- but they are certainly clear enough to follow.

A couple of appendices on meridian pathways, cutaneous zones, and acupoints are also included.

Lastly, the book ends with two indexes. The first is a pain pattern index, which is really a picture reference guide on trigger point referral patterns for the various muscles. The second is a symptoms index. Using this index is as easy as looking up a particular area of the body (such as the shoulder) where you'll then find various symptoms and their potential cause (trouble with reaching up....problem with latissimus dorsi).

All-in-all, it's a great resource for anyone who deals with clients that might have muscular pain and the book could also double as a patient education tool with its great pictures of all the muscles and their trigger points. Also recommend Treat Your Own Rotator Cuff for practitioners who deal with a lot of shoulder patients.

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect book for patient use, January 18, 2007

By 

Paula Downs (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Trigger Point Therapy for Myofascial Pain: The Practice of Informed Touch (Paperback)

This is by far the best manual I have ever used for my fibromyalgia/myofascial pain. It gives instructions for the physical therapist as well as helping the patient with identifying the location of the problem. Excellent diagrams help you to locate the areas to massage or use accupressure on for relief of pain. The book then gives stretching and strengthening moves for each specific area. For the last ten years I had an area of severe pain that neither I nor my therapist could figure out how to relieve. The first time through this manual, I was able to identify the exact spots to manipulate and I had immediate relief. It is worth 10 times what I paid for that one thing alone. I am VERY happy with this book!

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Trigger Point Therapy for Myofascial Pain, July 30, 2006

By 

P. Jackson "P. Jackson" (Western Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Trigger Point Therapy for Myofascial Pain: The Practice of Informed Touch (Paperback)

This manual is concise and easy to use. I bought it to use as a ready-reference in my practice and am very happy with the presentation. It can be flicked through quickly to find the relevant muscle or group you are evaluating and the text is easy to follow giving the main points under headings. The drawings are excellent.
I particularly liked the sections at the end of each muscle which gives a stretching and strenghthening exercise for that particular muscle and a drawing. It will be very easy to demonstrate this to patients using the guide. Very simple and easy to follow.
The only downside to the book for me was the non-inclusion of the intrinsic muscles of the foot and their trigger points. I can't quite work out why these would not be included and as a podiatrist is quite an ommission. It does mention in the introduction that it doesn't include all muscles of the body, just the one's that they have found to be clinically significant and it then refers the reader to Travell and Simons.
Overall, a good clinical reference.