Myofascial Trigger Points Comprehensive diagnosis and treatment

Edited by Dominik Irnich, MD, this clearly written and fully illustrated multi-contributor volume offers practical, comprehensive coverage of the subject area ranging from the latest scientific research findings to practical usage of current manual therapy techniques. Including the latest information from centres of excellence throughout the world, this new book is suitable for osteopathic physicians, osteopaths, chiropractors, manual therapists, physiotherapists, acupuncturists and massage therapists as well as general physicians working in primary care, physical medicine, rehabilitation, pain management and internal medicine.

"I'm happy to say that this book is excellent and addresses all my concerns!" Reviewed by InTouch (Physio First's journal) , Jan 2015

• Offers practical and clinically relevant information to all practitioners and therapists working in the field
• Edited by an international expert in pain management and trigger point therapy
• Abundant use of pull-out boxes, line artwork, photographs and tables facilitates ease of understanding
• Carefully prepared by a worldwide team of clinically active and research oriented contributors to provide helpful and clinically relevant information
• Presents the latest research findings for many aspects of trigger point therapy
• Provides a holistic view of patient care including the importance of patient communication and psychological aspects of pain control
• Provides a handy reference for rapid and effective diagnosis and treatment of trigger points
• Highlights the 65 most important muscles in a comprehensive practical style which includes anatomy, symptoms, pain patterns, physical examination and strategies for effective treatment
• Offers an ideal resource for training courses in trigger point injection, osteopathy, manual therapy and acupuncture
• Suitable for osteopathic physicians, osteopaths, chiropractors, manual therapists, acupuncturists and massage therapists as well as general physicians working in primary care, physical medicine, rehabilitation, pain management and internal medicine

Section 1 The background

1 Guide to the book

2 Terminology

3 Epidemiology

4 Etiology of myofascial pain syndrome

5 The anatomy and physiology of the muscles

6 Pathophysiology

7 The trigger point as expression of a functional disorder of the locomotor system

8 Trigger points and myofascial pain - acupuncture points and meridian system

9 Myofascial trigger points and fascia

10 Fibromyalgia syndrome

11 Myofascial trigger points and somatoform pain

12 Integrated holistic consideration of the muscles

13 Diagnosis of myofascial pain

14 Differential diagnosis

Section 2 Treatment of myofascial pain

15 Principles of treatment

16 Peculiarities of doctor-patient relationship with chronic pain

17 Selection of suitable treatments

18 Manual therapies and physiotherapeutic procedures

19 Treatment concept - myofascial trigger point therapy

20 Physical procedures

21 Trigger point infiltration

22 Acupuncture and related procedures

23 Complementary and alternative therapy methods and naturopathic treatments

24 Relaxation techniques - body and mind

25 Systemic pharmacotherapy

Section 3 Muscles and trigger points

26 Head

27 Throat, neck and shoulder region

28 Shoulder and upper arm

29 Elbow, forearm and hand

30 Thoracic spine and thorax

31 Abdomen

32 Lumbar spine, pelvis and hip region (pelvic girdle)

33 Hip, thigh and knee

34 Lower leg and foot

Osteopathic physicians and osteopaths, chiropractors, manual therapists, physiotherapists, acupuncturists, massage therapists, and physicians working in general practice, physical medicine, rehabilitation, pain management and internal medicine.

Dr Irnich holds a Certificate of Acupuncture, a Certificate of Chinese Massage and a Certificate of Qigong (China Beijing International Acupuncture Training Centre, WHO Collaborating Centre of Traditional Chinese Medicine), a Certificate of Acupuncture (A, B) of the German Medical Acupuncture Association (DÄGfA) and a Certificate of Natural Medicine (Naturopathy) of KneippÄrztebund and is a practicing acupuncturist.

Dr. Irnich is a member of faculty at different institutions: German Medical Acupuncture Association (DÄGfA), Acupuncture Course at Julius-Maximilians-University of Regensburg, KneippÄrztebund, Structural Acupuncture Course for Physicians at Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.

His fields of research include basic science research (physiology of peripheral nociception including acupuncture) and clinical research on acupuncture and pain (research methodology, clinical effectiveness). Dr Irnich has published 34 original papers, 19 chapters in different textbooks, proceedings, reviews and editorials, 43 abstracts of poster and oral presentations and has given more than 100 invited lectures.