Buy new:
$18.97$18.97
FREE delivery:
July 25 - 27
Ships from: Dayens-variey Sold by: Dayens-variey
Buy used: $9.99
Other Sellers on Amazon
& FREE Shipping
90% positive over last 12 months
+ $5.74 shipping
94% positive over last 12 months
FREE Shipping
98% positive over last 12 months
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief, 2nd Edition Paperback – August 1, 2004
There is a newer edition of this item:
Purchase options and add-ons
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.
- Print length352 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherNew Harbinger Publications
- Publication dateAugust 1, 2004
- Dimensions8.75 x 0.75 x 11 inches
- ISBN-101572243759
- ISBN-13978-1572243750
Books with Buzz
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more
Frequently bought together

What do customers buy after viewing this item?
- Highest ratedin this set of products
The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief (A New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook)Clair Davies NCTMBSpiral-bound
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
The authors 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.
Review
“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
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
"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 helpedand billions of dollars saved in unnecessary treatments and medicationsas 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 Daviess 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! Im 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
Doctors 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 theyre located, diagnosing and treating them is difficultif you dont know what youre 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 youve struggled with chronic pain without finding relief, you owe it to yourself to learn and practice the techniques in this workbookeasy, reliable skills that offer real, lasting relief without drugs, doctor visits, and costly medical bills.
About the Author
Now deceased, foreword writer David G. Simons, MD, coauthored of Travell & Simons Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual
Product details
- Publisher : New Harbinger Publications; 2nd Edition (August 1, 2004)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 352 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1572243759
- ISBN-13 : 978-1572243750
- Item Weight : 1.84 pounds
- Dimensions : 8.75 x 0.75 x 11 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #361,523 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #430 in Pain Management (Books)
- #6,448 in Alternative Medicine (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
Important information
To report an issue with this product, click here.
About the author

Clair Davies, NCTMB (Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork), is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association, and a graduate of the Utah College of massage Therapy. He specializes in trigger point massage for the treatment of pain.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon-
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Other muscles besides the scalene were involved and Clair Davies had them all referenced in the back of the book under "thumb". This is the case for any body part you may need help with, it is all very accessible and easy to find. Needless to say, this book was a miracle in my life - providing a simple solution to a debilitating problem that seemingly did not HAVE any solution (no doctor, acupuncturist, or even most up-to-date-book on repetitive strain injuries seemed to hit upon this stunning information). I went from abject misery to basically playing this strange video game of hunting out and zapping away all these trigger points hidden in my muscles.
I found this book fairly late in the healing process, and so it's important to note that another book, IT'S NOT CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME! helped me immensely with all of the problems I had that did NOT include trigger points - I would even say that my left side (arm, hand) had healed already by studying what I found in that book alone. But the trigger points were the missing piece.
I want to thank the reviewer who suggested getting the book spiral-bound at kinko's so it will lie flat and xeroxing the cover so you can pass it out to everyone you know without lending it (I gave my first copy away but discovered I need the book on an ongoing basis).
I discovered that the book actually has its own website, which you can find by searching 'trigger points' on google. I suggest reading ALL about the book there yourself, and if you think it might help you ordering from amazon because it is cheaper. Even once you have the book, the website makes the info. very accessible.
At a certain point, I started to dot the hard-to-find trigger points on my skin with a marker. It may look bizarre but they can be hard to keep track of and you want to get all of them.
DON'T OVERLOOK THE SECTION ON PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION, even if massaging trigger points seems to be enough to cure you.
The scalene trigger points can be HARD to find. At first I found them easily, but months later my symptoms came back and after 2 weeks of despair I found a terrible trigger point that was almost completely hidden in the scalene, I could only reach it after hitting the muscle at a particular angle.
Underline as you go along! Here and there he mentions areas of referred pain that are NOT depicted in the illustration.
Very relevant pages I xeroxed and taped to the wall.
Again, SOME aspects of Repetitive Strain Injury are not brought about by trigger points, so everyone w/computer related injuries needs to look at IT'S NOT CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME! by Suparna Damany and Jack Bellis and also the books by Emil Pascarelli. If you have REAL nerve damage, trigger point therapy may ease some of your discomfort but it won't resolve the problem.
Those with back problems might want to look into John Sarno's MINDBODY PRESCRIPTION. Maybe even those w/out back problems - however this recommendation is based on other people's experiences not my own.
Other books I used: Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (by Sharon Butler & also her online book about DeQuervain's of the thumb), Your Body's Many Cries for Water, Tendon & Ligament Healing, Free Your Breath Free Your Life...and the PBS program Priscilla's Yoga Stretches (not a book, it is apparently shown in many parts of the US). Some of these I got from the library, but being that my HANDS were at stake I would have just put them all on a credit card if I had had no other choice. I also recommend spending time between the shelves of Barnes & Noble.
If you happen to live in Los Angeles, Janet Travell & David Simon's medical volumes, upon which Clair Davies' work is based, are available at the Central Library (one reference set, and one that you can actually check out). Don't know about other major cities - but they're beautiful, exquisite books and amazingly clear.
Finally, I am just now looking into Bonnie Prudden's books particularly 'MYOTHERAPY' from 1984- and I am surprised because while they are missing key components of The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook they offer insights about trigger points that I have not found in other places. She quotes Janet Travell often, and there is great spirit in her book.
There is no way to express my gratitude to Clair Davies, et al, for making this info. available to the world. I am literally better off knowing about trigger points than I would be had I won a million dollars.
It's a crime that this info has been around for over a quarter of a century & the medical world has not yet grabbed a hold of it.
Good luck everyone!
January 8th, 2006 update: After all that I now have something more to add: I did actually have more trouble getting over a recent relapse than I would have expected, and I have been greatly helped by a massage therapist who is actually very familiar with trigger point therapy. In addition to trigger points, he has been helping me with other forms of massage therapy & guidance on how to rehabilitate my muscles without overdoing it. After being so injured for a long time it is great to have professional guidance in conjunction with self-applied trigger point therapy. He knew about this book & appreciated how well-informed I was - unlike certain doctors I have spoken with who seemed to take offense at my attempt to do my own research! In summary: use this book and if necessary, try to find a great massage therapist as well.
one more thing: the book is almost entirely viewable in google books! also, it has its own website triggerpointbook dot com.
Be sure to read Chapter Three to learn the proper way to massage myofascial trigger points. Actually, I recommend reading the first 3 chapters to learn all about myofascial trigger points and some of the surprising causes: allergies, anxiety & tension, vitamin and/or mineral deficiencies, sitting too long, surgery, slings, casts, injection in the gluteal muscle, & calcium channel blockers, to name a few. Surprising myofascial trigger point symptoms range from wetting the bed, dizziness, tinnitus, carpal tunnel, swollen ankles, feet, hands or wrists, excessive eye tearing, sinus problems; for women: painful intercourse, menstrual pain, again naming a few. Even arthritis & herniated discs have trigger points, so deep stroke massage on those trigger points can diminish pain for these & other conditions. Chronic pain is also covered & is harder to treat.
I highly recommend this book. It is easy to use; the myofascial trigger points are represented by black circles, the areas the trigger points refer pain to are shaded in. The book is broken down into sections such as head and neck; shoulder, upper back & upper arm; elbow forearm & hand; midback, low back, & buttock pain; to name a few, with clear illustrations throughout the book. Myofascia trigger points in the entire body are covered. Many chapters include a true life experience of someone who has experienced pain, what caused it and how they dealt with it.
Also, this book shows how to use your hands, elbows, tennis balls, etc. to massage the trigger points; it also has illustrations using the Thera Cane and references the Knobble & Backnobber. In my experience the Body Back Buddy Massager worked fine.
UPDATE: After finally ridding myself of the deep, aching pain that was waking me regularly, I developed off and on pain (not as bad) in another close-by area. I've had a hard time finding any trigger points, continued using the Body Back massager, and decided to add calcium supplements (recommended in this book) to my diet. I don't drink milk because I'm lactose intolerant. It seems that the calcium supplements are helping; the off & on pain is lessening.
update...after using calcium citrate supplements for about a month...the off & on pain is completely gone! I never would've guessed that in each case of pain I experienced...that the solutions would've been so simple.
Top reviews from other countries
『誰でもできるトリカーホイントの探し方・治し方』という名前で翻訳もされていて、そちらは五千円を超える高価な本ですが、それでも非常に評価が高いです。
首痛、腰痛や五十肩などに代表される慢性的な筋肉の痛みのほとんどはトリガーポイントという筋肉が凝った部分が出来るために生じるのであり、そこをほぐしてやれば首痛、腰痛や五十肩などは改善する、という理屈にもとづいて、身体のある部分に痛みがある場合、身体のどの部分をどのようにマッサージすればいいか、誰にでも分かるように多くの図を使ってわかりやすく解説しています。
ちなみに拳銃の引き金のことも英語でトリガーといいますが、まさに痛みの引き金となっているのがトリガーポイントだということです。
やっていることの外形を見れば似たようなもんですが、日本で主流のツボや経絡を中心に刺激するあんま、指圧系のマッサージとは、原理的には全く違うものです。
トリガーポイントの理屈を前提に、痛みの緩和という場面だけに限って両者を比較すると、ツボを刺激し気の流れをよくすることによってトリガーポイントの凝りがほぐれることを期待するツボや経絡を刺激する従来型のマッサージより、痛みの原因のトリガーポイントをじかにほぐすトリガーポイントセラピーのほうが、より痛みにたいして直接的なセラピーだということになるのではないかと思います。
この本の特徴は、セルフケアに重点が置かれてるところです。
背中などの自分の手が届きにくい部分は道具を使ってマッサージをする方法が詳しく書かれています。
セラケーンという道具を使った方法が多いですが、テニスボールなどを使用する方法なども解説されています。
ツボ押しのための道具でも代用できるかと思い試してみましたが、ツボ刺激を目的とする器具は先端が尖っているものが多いので、トリガーポイントをほぐすのには向いていません。
セラケーンか、類似品でより多機能なボディーバックバディー(どちらもアマゾンで購入可能)のような、先端があまり尖っていない丸まっているものが適していると思います。
ちなみに私はボディーパックバディーを購入しました。
実際にこの本の指示通りにマッサージをしたところ、かなりの即効性があります。
数日やっただけで頑固な首の痛みがかなり軽減し、固まっていた肩の関節がかなり緩んできたような気がします。
数週間続ければ、日常生活ではほとんど気にならないレベルまで痛みが軽減するのではないかと思います。
英語が読める方であれば、原本で読まれた方がかなり安上がりで、日本語訳との差額にわずかにプラスするだけでセラケーンかボディーバックバディーのどちらかまで購入できます。
全身の筋肉の名前やいろいろな身体の症状など、一般書ではあまりお目にかからない単語も多く出てきますが、図を使った解説が多いので、そんなに難しくはありません。
医療系の勉強をされている方などは、図入りの解説で筋肉の名前が覚えられていいのではないでしょうか
医学の専門書ではなく、一般向けに書かれた本なので、語彙以外に難しいところはありません。
英語が読める方で、首痛、肩こり、腰痛などの症状に苦しんでるかたには是非おすすめしたい本です。
英語が読めない方も、五千円以上出して日本語訳を買っても損はしないと思います。
ちなみに本書の翻訳をした同じメンバーが、「誰でもできるトリガーポイントの探し方・治し方 【腰痛】」という紛らわしい名前の本も翻訳していますが、これは"Trigger Point Therapy for Low Back Pain: A Self-Treatment Workbook"という違う著者の本の翻訳(ちなみにこの本も評価が高い)。
この本の著者の"The Frozen Shoulder Workbook: Trigger Point Therapy for Overcoming Pain & Regaining Range of Motion"という肩の症状に特化した著作の日本語訳は、現在のところまだ出ていないようです。










