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The Trigger Point THERAPY Workbook by Clair Davies
The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook
Hardcover
First published April 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 118 reviews
December 13, 2015
This is a book I will never be finished with. Anyone who has suffered from myo-fascial disease (and has somehow received help) knows what an important book this is. The medical profession is still slow to recognize the genius in this work, but those MD's who have distinguished its importance prove how brilliant they are as well. There is hardly any money to be made when the healer teaches the patient how to heal oneself. And that is why the medical profession disregards the study of muscle and the causes of pain. if they cannot perform surgery or prescribe drugs, treatments such as this are useless to them. Shame on the surgeons and physical therapists who refuse to practice this therapy.
March 22, 2012
Best from available self-help handbook on dealing with unexplained muscle, connective tissue, joint, coccyx, neck and head ache. If in doubt - read reviews on the web, plenty of very detailed and helpful ones.
Pluses:
- This book and tool (and ability to massage yourself) is all what you need to start. Lacross ball and Back Body Buddy (or Knobble and Theracane) work as a massaging tool for accessible and hard to reach body areas.
- Trigger points for each pain location are clearly shown. If terminology is unfamiliar - ignore it and work with pictures.
- It really helps.
- If you like to know the story behind the book, here it is.
Minuses:
- Book format is less convenient than set of cards, that you can select and arrange for your current working on. When you move to another group of trigger points, you could choose another cards from the set. Less going back and forth through the book each time. Unfortunately, it's available only as a book.
- Too much unnecessary information for handbook. Interesting, but this is extra.
- It is quite tiresome - for you or somebody who do it for you - to do the regular work on large and deep muscles, even with Terracane, Knobble, lacrosse ball, for either low energy or more or less healthy person. Usually enough to pull through several sessions, but not for weeks. And if your mobility or energy levels are impaired, you may not be able to work on large or deep muscles. I eventually gave up and switched to described below.
- Worst - not in the book, but for you - is that if almost all your body is knotted, you have to do something on system level too, like follow Dr. Weston Price, Ramiel Nagel, Dr. Robert F. Cathcart, Dr. Myhill, or at least give a try to failsafe and low carbohydrate diets.
This book is extremely helpful, contains all essentials, affordable and entertaining. Highly recommended.
Pluses:
- This book and tool (and ability to massage yourself) is all what you need to start. Lacross ball and Back Body Buddy (or Knobble and Theracane) work as a massaging tool for accessible and hard to reach body areas.
- Trigger points for each pain location are clearly shown. If terminology is unfamiliar - ignore it and work with pictures.
- It really helps.
- If you like to know the story behind the book, here it is.
Minuses:
- Book format is less convenient than set of cards, that you can select and arrange for your current working on. When you move to another group of trigger points, you could choose another cards from the set. Less going back and forth through the book each time. Unfortunately, it's available only as a book.
- Too much unnecessary information for handbook. Interesting, but this is extra.
- It is quite tiresome - for you or somebody who do it for you - to do the regular work on large and deep muscles, even with Terracane, Knobble, lacrosse ball, for either low energy or more or less healthy person. Usually enough to pull through several sessions, but not for weeks. And if your mobility or energy levels are impaired, you may not be able to work on large or deep muscles. I eventually gave up and switched to described below.
- Worst - not in the book, but for you - is that if almost all your body is knotted, you have to do something on system level too, like follow Dr. Weston Price, Ramiel Nagel, Dr. Robert F. Cathcart, Dr. Myhill, or at least give a try to failsafe and low carbohydrate diets.
This book is extremely helpful, contains all essentials, affordable and entertaining. Highly recommended.
December 5, 2013
This book is well worth owning if you suffer from chronic pain. It encouraged me to buy a 'Theracane' which an amazing self-massage tool for deep tissue massage of your back and hips. I couldn't live without it. Trigger point Therapy is something I am quite passionate about (being an ex-massage therapist), and I've found it is the only thing that gives me instant relief from my chronic back pain. I am always referring back to this book whenever I have unusual aches and pains, or any other symptoms for that matter. Trigger points can cause an amazing range of symptoms such as eye twitching, tooth ache, dizziness, nausea, stomach aches, period pain and I could go on.
It is certainly not one of those natural remedy books that claim to change your life, but end up only having placebo effects. It will give you immediate relief once you find the right spot to work on. The only challenge is really making sure you don't strain your hands trying to get deep enough, which is why he recommends using things like the theracane, or a tennis ball / golf ball, anything firm that you can lean into. Some of the more superficial trigger points can be worked with your hands though.
It is certainly not one of those natural remedy books that claim to change your life, but end up only having placebo effects. It will give you immediate relief once you find the right spot to work on. The only challenge is really making sure you don't strain your hands trying to get deep enough, which is why he recommends using things like the theracane, or a tennis ball / golf ball, anything firm that you can lean into. Some of the more superficial trigger points can be worked with your hands though.
December 4, 2008
While this is not nearly as comprehensive as the Travell books, and some of the referral patterns differ, it's far more accessible as a self-care reference. I recommend this book to clients at least weekly, to encourage them to delve into understanding their muscular structure and possible sources of pain. An educated consumer is a powerful and effective force.
November 29, 2014
This is one of the most important reference books on my shelf today. I had an older edition and upgraded to this one because it brings the materials into the digital age. There is downloadable content for my tablet and I can use the charts in the book or from downloaded sources. This book is one of the best I have ever used to ease tension and unlock muscles that cause headaches and pain.
I recommend this book to anyone who is doing massage or acupressure. I do it professionally but the skills I have learned from this book have made people think of me as a fixer. This book will be one of the most important references for your shelf. This is a good read!
Mr Joe
I recommend this book to anyone who is doing massage or acupressure. I do it professionally but the skills I have learned from this book have made people think of me as a fixer. This book will be one of the most important references for your shelf. This is a good read!
Mr Joe
January 24, 2012
I have read several books on trigger points now. This one is by far my favourite. The one failing is that he makes it seem as if fixing trigger points will fix every Health problem that you have. In better news, because of this book my back and sciatic pain is now mostly gone! I do recommend seeing a massage therapist who specialises in trigger points so you can feel firsthand what one feels like.
July 31, 2013
It's not often you can honestly say that a book changed your life but this one truly has changed mine. I used to be at the chiropractor and/or massage therapist's office at least weekly due to chronic pain. However I am now able to manage most of my pain on my own at home simply by releasing trigger points and doing self massage. Highly recommended!
April 6, 2014
A little over three years ago, I fell from a height of two stories and broke both ankles. This life-changing event actually pushed me into teaching Mathematics and Science. So, the experience was not all bad. Unfortunately, I did not get the kind of medical attention I should have, and the consequence was that I severely damaged my right shoulder which bore a large part of the impact. Over time, the damage to my shoulder has become more evident - chiefly in the form of a disorder called "Frozen Shoulder Syndrome." I have slowly lost range of motion, and I've experienced increased more pain on the ensuing years. It is particularly difficult in raising my arm in a sideways direction, away from my body; I can no longer do it. I started conducting research about the problem because it is not only painful, but frightening. Once I was able to garner more information, it turned out that there are a variety of books written on the topic.
his book turned out to be the hands-down recommended book here on goodreads, and for good reason. It is well written and offers the kind of detail I needed in order to begin taking a more active role in addressing this painfully debilitating problem. The drawings and explanations are great for referencing whatever trigger points one might need to work on in order to free up tightened muscles and re-establish a pain-free existence. The recovery process may be longer than I might have wanted, but I am experiencing results every day, so I highly recommend this book. I may not be completely pain-free, but the results I am experiencing by way of reduced pain, and increased range of motion have helped me to sleep better and understand that painful spots in my body may not necessarily be as obvious as the location of the pain itself.
his book turned out to be the hands-down recommended book here on goodreads, and for good reason. It is well written and offers the kind of detail I needed in order to begin taking a more active role in addressing this painfully debilitating problem. The drawings and explanations are great for referencing whatever trigger points one might need to work on in order to free up tightened muscles and re-establish a pain-free existence. The recovery process may be longer than I might have wanted, but I am experiencing results every day, so I highly recommend this book. I may not be completely pain-free, but the results I am experiencing by way of reduced pain, and increased range of motion have helped me to sleep better and understand that painful spots in my body may not necessarily be as obvious as the location of the pain itself.
March 19, 2012
A gift of love to mankind to relieve pain and suffering.
I picked up this book to better understand trigger points after one successful treatment by a trigger point therapist. Now with better understanding, I go to my therapist whenever I have aches and pains as I am able to understand the likely causes.
On one occasion I could not bend my knees for weeks after a netball game. Most people would think it is a knee problem, including doctors. But from this book I knew it was a muscular problem and went to my therapist. I continued to massage myself base on the book's instructions and was back to normal in 1-2 weeks. The trigger was a muscle pull in the inner thigh - nowhere near the knee.
This book aims to let readers help themselves and family through locating and releasing trigger points. It is a godsend and I thank the authors for their generosity in sharing their knowledge unconditionally without further marketing efforts to sell any products or services like some other books.
I picked up this book to better understand trigger points after one successful treatment by a trigger point therapist. Now with better understanding, I go to my therapist whenever I have aches and pains as I am able to understand the likely causes.
On one occasion I could not bend my knees for weeks after a netball game. Most people would think it is a knee problem, including doctors. But from this book I knew it was a muscular problem and went to my therapist. I continued to massage myself base on the book's instructions and was back to normal in 1-2 weeks. The trigger was a muscle pull in the inner thigh - nowhere near the knee.
This book aims to let readers help themselves and family through locating and releasing trigger points. It is a godsend and I thank the authors for their generosity in sharing their knowledge unconditionally without further marketing efforts to sell any products or services like some other books.
January 20, 2008
One of the best and most accessible books out there on TP's
One of those books that should be in every home.
One of those books that should be in every home.
March 5, 2020
Very useful, but get that diagnostic testing (MRI or what have you to make sure nothing is sprained or torned). Putting pressure on a torn or over stretched trigger point will make it worse.
October 5, 2008
This is a great book! Very clear, meticulous explanations. Accurate diagrams. Really lets you zoom in on your trouble spots once you get the hang of the organization.
If you have cramps, some kind of persistent muscular tension or muscle damage, you may find this book useful. You can be fairly certain about this if you need any kind of medically indicated massage or sometimes physical therapy. You should check first. I signed up with a masseuse who knew about trigger point therapy and recommended I follow up with something since I was so tense, he was unable to release the tension without hurting me.
On the other hand, the book and the assorted self-massage equipment isn't expensive. For less than $60, you can just try it out. I had a stiff knee which I suspected was caused by muscle tension aggravated by an old ankle injury. You see, there was this knot in the calf... at any rate, the book and the TheraCane that I purchase worked fine. Now I no longer limp. Worked better than physical therapy. I'm afraid the therapist never did zoom in on that cramping muscle. She was working more on the entire ankle and knee.
If you have cramps, some kind of persistent muscular tension or muscle damage, you may find this book useful. You can be fairly certain about this if you need any kind of medically indicated massage or sometimes physical therapy. You should check first. I signed up with a masseuse who knew about trigger point therapy and recommended I follow up with something since I was so tense, he was unable to release the tension without hurting me.
On the other hand, the book and the assorted self-massage equipment isn't expensive. For less than $60, you can just try it out. I had a stiff knee which I suspected was caused by muscle tension aggravated by an old ankle injury. You see, there was this knot in the calf... at any rate, the book and the TheraCane that I purchase worked fine. Now I no longer limp. Worked better than physical therapy. I'm afraid the therapist never did zoom in on that cramping muscle. She was working more on the entire ankle and knee.
March 5, 2019
I'm not "done" reading this book, but I wanted to give it a shout-out because it is a wonderful reference. I have been experiencing neck and shoulder tension that has been leading to headaches, and this book describes in great detail how to work on each tight muscle that is contributing to the headache. With the use of simple tools (tennis ball, your hands, and a few other massage tools), a lot of pain can be relieved. The author details many, many chronic ailments--tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, headaches, foot and ankle problems---and teaches the reader exactly which muscles to target to relieve the specific problem. Luckily I don't have most of these problems, but if a loved one or I ever do experience them, we'll be in good hands with this book!
April 7, 2018
If you are interested in learning and self-applying trigger point massage: buy this book! TPM is the easiest thing in the world and it can make a big difference in your daily life. If I ever make a list of ten books that changed my life, I may need to sneak this baby on there.
I was already getting and learning about trigger point therapy before I found this book, but this resource is so thorough and so helpful. There's a PDF online will all the trigger point maps and I keep it close at hand for every massage I give. I ended up paying for a real life course as well, and it was no where near as useful as this book.
I was already getting and learning about trigger point therapy before I found this book, but this resource is so thorough and so helpful. There's a PDF online will all the trigger point maps and I keep it close at hand for every massage I give. I ended up paying for a real life course as well, and it was no where near as useful as this book.
July 14, 2014
A physical therapist suggested this book in conjunction with a series of daily exercises and regular chiropractic adjustments and PT. It's been a godsend.
Several exercises that pertain to my needs include using a tennis ball to massage the area. I now keep tennis balls everywhere; it's such a quick, easy way to temporarily relieve pain.
That said, be sure to talk to a medical professional before you use this book. They can guide you to the right exercises and ensure you're doing them properly.
Several exercises that pertain to my needs include using a tennis ball to massage the area. I now keep tennis balls everywhere; it's such a quick, easy way to temporarily relieve pain.
That said, be sure to talk to a medical professional before you use this book. They can guide you to the right exercises and ensure you're doing them properly.
November 10, 2015
Amazing book for every therapist, even for personal trainers. Can help you with auto-treatment your pain. Magical Trigger points are responsible for about 68% of all our pain!! Give it a try. You will need only this book (like 10 bucks) and tennis ball (maybe a buck only).
You can heal yourself! This really works. I promise, that you will not be disapointed. Listen to your body and you can help yourself.
You can heal yourself! This really works. I promise, that you will not be disapointed. Listen to your body and you can help yourself.
May 29, 2014
This book has been a great help in treating others and myself. I am not a trained therapist, and do not do any type of massage, etc for pay. That said, sometimes a friend will mention a pain in one area and they cant massage it away. Ill bring the book down from the shelf, and sometimes just copy them a page or Ill show them how to look for the trigger point. Often this brings some relief.
June 2, 2015
This thing saves me on the daily. I keep an electronic copy on my phone for handy reference. When my limp is acting up, or my hips get the best of me, I pull out my foam roller, lacrosse ball, and this book, and in the space of 20 minutes, I have some semblance of graceful movement once again. A hundred stars.
May 27, 2022
Actually, I will never really finish this book because I refer to it constantly for self-care. It is a fountain of information for working on painful body parts and resolving movement issues.
October 23, 2024
This book has saved me a lot of pain. I purchased the 2nd edition back in 2007 from Amazon, and at the time I was having some back pain that it helped me with.
A few years later I developed a mysterious heel pain that I could not figure out for weeks, and then I remembered this book. Within days the pain was resolved.
Just recently, in 2024, I developed knee pain and then low pack pain, and then my knee gave out on me one day. I had let it go so long that I had developed a constellation of problems, but it all boiled down to myofascial pain, and I'm gradually getting a number of pain and trigger points sorted out, using this amazing book, which provides diagrams to help map out how the pain relates to trigger points, and what to do about them. Just today I had an incredible improvement.
It's based on science, and not to be confused with acupressure. The trigger points this book deals with are not the same as the tender points of fibromyalgia. It is based on the work of Janet Travell, MD and David Simons, MD and their 2-volume work, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual (1999), which was geared more toward health professionals.
This is certainly not a cure-all. But this is a great resource to check first to see if my pain is myofascial, and for figuring out many of those painful situations that seem to develop just from stressing my body, injuries when doing physical work, poor posture, and muscle tension. I recently have had a lot of stress over a lawsuit, and I tend to tense up when stressed, which I suspect contributes to this type of pain as well.
I'm immensely grateful to the authors, that this book exists, and that I came across it all those years ago. It's probably the best value from any money I've ever spent. I hope it will always be in print.
A few years later I developed a mysterious heel pain that I could not figure out for weeks, and then I remembered this book. Within days the pain was resolved.
Just recently, in 2024, I developed knee pain and then low pack pain, and then my knee gave out on me one day. I had let it go so long that I had developed a constellation of problems, but it all boiled down to myofascial pain, and I'm gradually getting a number of pain and trigger points sorted out, using this amazing book, which provides diagrams to help map out how the pain relates to trigger points, and what to do about them. Just today I had an incredible improvement.
It's based on science, and not to be confused with acupressure. The trigger points this book deals with are not the same as the tender points of fibromyalgia. It is based on the work of Janet Travell, MD and David Simons, MD and their 2-volume work, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual (1999), which was geared more toward health professionals.
This is certainly not a cure-all. But this is a great resource to check first to see if my pain is myofascial, and for figuring out many of those painful situations that seem to develop just from stressing my body, injuries when doing physical work, poor posture, and muscle tension. I recently have had a lot of stress over a lawsuit, and I tend to tense up when stressed, which I suspect contributes to this type of pain as well.
I'm immensely grateful to the authors, that this book exists, and that I came across it all those years ago. It's probably the best value from any money I've ever spent. I hope it will always be in print.
August 26, 2019
Trigger points being these partially understood phenomena of muscle dysfunction where motor nerves connect to muscles. They can get a little angry, and need some massage to increase blood circulation. Restoring the oxygen and energy supply improving calcium uptake allows the muscles to lengthen, and decrease sensitivity. If left, they can themselves be sensitive (that's how you find them), restrict mobility by preventing your muscles from lengthening, but most interestingly cause referred pain elsewhere in the body, based on the nerve in question and the path it follows in the body. Reduced mobility in one area can lead to a muscle issue elsewhere in your body too, so you need to do a little digging to find root causes of your pain.
I think I get why now we find ourselves rolling around on gym floors on roam rollers and lacrosse balls so often: a cheap and cheerful way to blast a bit of new blood flow into some commonly problematic areas prone to developing trigger points. A very specific massage either by a professional or done to yourself being the preferred way but a bit in a group setting perhaps it's close enough.
Thanks Dr Keith for the recommendation. I'm sad to return this book and will have to pick up a copy for my own.
I think I get why now we find ourselves rolling around on gym floors on roam rollers and lacrosse balls so often: a cheap and cheerful way to blast a bit of new blood flow into some commonly problematic areas prone to developing trigger points. A very specific massage either by a professional or done to yourself being the preferred way but a bit in a group setting perhaps it's close enough.
Thanks Dr Keith for the recommendation. I'm sad to return this book and will have to pick up a copy for my own.
September 26, 2022
This is a good book, jampacked with useful information on using trigger points to help deal with a variety of pain. I got it to help with headaches and chronic pain. While it didn't all work for me, it's good to branch out and see what is out there to help yourself when modern medicine just wants to give you pain pills and call it a day. And who knows, it might work for you.
If this book works for you, it's probably going to be a book you will want to own, because 3 weeks from the library is not enough time if you want to plow through the whole book and retain all the knowledge packed in there. Probably be good to reference back to certain procedure's too.
The only thing to note is that the book is super heavy on text and lighter on demo pictures/drawings. So if you are very visual, you might want to take note of that. There are pictures, but it's not like a lot of self help books that is mostly pictures once to you into it.
If this book works for you, it's probably going to be a book you will want to own, because 3 weeks from the library is not enough time if you want to plow through the whole book and retain all the knowledge packed in there. Probably be good to reference back to certain procedure's too.
The only thing to note is that the book is super heavy on text and lighter on demo pictures/drawings. So if you are very visual, you might want to take note of that. There are pictures, but it's not like a lot of self help books that is mostly pictures once to you into it.
September 7, 2021
Picked this up in 2020 when lockdowns put an end to my physiotherapy appointments. A really worthwhile, insightful and recommended read for self-treatment of muscle tension. Haven’t read from cover to cover, it’s more of a handy reference book—although, the first couple chapters are worth reading to learn about trigger points and how they work.
Like other reviewers, I bought a bunch of reflexology tools to go with it. Handheld massager, foam roller, massage balls, reflexology slippers, etc. A theracane is in my Amazon basket as I write this!
I’m finding the self-help massage techniques a lot more efficient since I’ve upped my vitamin and supplements intake. Feeling and sleeping much better as a result, so, definitely worth using as part of a holistic self care routine. As always, consistency is key!
Like other reviewers, I bought a bunch of reflexology tools to go with it. Handheld massager, foam roller, massage balls, reflexology slippers, etc. A theracane is in my Amazon basket as I write this!
I’m finding the self-help massage techniques a lot more efficient since I’ve upped my vitamin and supplements intake. Feeling and sleeping much better as a result, so, definitely worth using as part of a holistic self care routine. As always, consistency is key!
September 4, 2021
This book can potentially help free you from long term pain. By all means read it and try out the recommendations for yourself.
But every assertion in the book needs to be taken with a spoon full of salt. The book is obviously written by a true believer who has no use for critical thinking or nuance as to what conclusions can truly be drawn from the current, very incomplete and problematic, science on trigger points.
But every assertion in the book needs to be taken with a spoon full of salt. The book is obviously written by a true believer who has no use for critical thinking or nuance as to what conclusions can truly be drawn from the current, very incomplete and problematic, science on trigger points.
April 5, 2021
I found this book in Barnes & Noble over a decade ago, and have referenced it on and off since then. If you deal with any kind of chronic pain you should definitely check it out! I used it to learn how to give Kirk massages and it definitely decreased his pain.
September 18, 2017
Great tool!! I use this book regularly just to keep my technique accurate and keep my memory fresh.
June 20, 2018
If you have suffered with chronic pain without finding relief, you owe it to yourself to learn in this workbook
October 31, 2018
I review this book monthly for sports related issues and it never fails to help me fund overuse issues
August 25, 2019
I did not read the entire book but will use it as reference. Awesome techniques.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 118 reviews