Myofascial Trigger Points and Chronic Pain

This blog is packed full of resources for understanding the pain and treatment of chronic myofascial pain and the knotted up pieces of muscle fiber in a taut band of muscle that causes it. 

Understanding myofascial trigger points and their role in sustaining chronic myofascial pain can be confusing at first; it was for me. But, I was very fortunate to have a mentor, Devin Starlanyl (author of several books on fibromyalgia and myofascial pain, her latest, Healing Through Trigger Point Therapy with John Starkey). Unbeknownst to many, unless you read the forward to our book, Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain…,  she spent many tiring days and nights helping me. My gratitude to her goes far beyond words. All she ever asked in return was that I pay it forward, and that is exactly what I am trying to do.

Be sure to read all the articles and resources provided here. I attended many seminars during my days as healthcare educator. I became frustrated if I didn’t grasp the information. What I found is that the same material presented in a different way was what I needed. Maybe it was the fibro or the Hashimoto’s undiagnosed, I will never know for sure, but I do know the sheer pleasure, that feeling of accomplishment when I had that “AH” “ HA” moment. 

If you are like me, you will need to take this information in slowly. Save the link to this blog, then come back. Take each article in succession until you think you have it. If you struggle to understand (as I did), please leave comments. If one person has a question, so does someone else.

As a prelude, watch my interview on the myofascial trigger points (TrPs) with Frank Gresham, certified myofascial trigger point specialist, of the Chronic Pain Center. Frank studied the work of the pioneers of myofascial medicine, Dr. JanetTravell  and Dr. David Simons.  

There has been a great deal of confusion regarding fibromyalgia tender points and myofascial trigger points. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME. They should NEVER be used interchangeably. Even though there are some researchers who think tender points may have been trigger points all along, there is other evidence by researchers and educators, such as my friend Dr. Robert Bennett who knows how to assess fibromyalgia AND myofascial pain syndrome, who say they are not. Thanks to Dr. Bennett, who led the research for the Alternative Diagnostic Criteria, we know how different FM is from MPS, even though they can, and often do, co-exist in the same patient. Read all the articles on Health Central and on my website and you will have a better understanding.

• Health Central — Fibromyalgia Tender Points or Myofascial Trigger Points: Knowing the Difference for the Right Diagnosis
• Health Central — What is a Myofascial Trigger Point, and Their Relationship toPain? 
• Health Centr al —Myofascial Pain Syndrome 
• Health Central — MyofascialPain Treatment 

(Signature line appended, May 2018)

In healing,

Celeste Cooper, RN / Author, Freelancer, Advocate

Think adversity?-See opportunity!

http://www.CelesteCooper.com

~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~

Learn more about Celeste’s books here. Subscribe to posts by using the information in the upper right hand corner or use the share buttons to share with others. 

David Simons, MD: Pioneer of Myofascial Medicine

Dr. Simons joined Dr. Janet Travell in her intense efforts to understand and educate other physicians regarding myofascial dysfunction, and the contribution of myofascial trigger points to myofascial pain syndrome. 

"Dr. David Simons started his medical career as a military clinician and research scientist. Since 1965 he [practiced] physical and rehabilitative medicine. Dr. Simons, a world leader in myofascial medicine, [lectured and advocated] for research in this “new field” of medicine. Drs. Travell and Simons co-authored Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual, Vol. 1, published in 1983, and Vol. 2 in 1992. The revised edition of Vol. 1 was published in 1999." (Cooper and Miller, 2010) 

What you may not know is that Dr. David Simons, born in 1922, was Project Officer for Animal Studies in V-2 rocket flights until 1949. He graduated from the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine at Randolph Air Force Base. He is well known for his part in the part in the “Manhigh project, a series of balloon flights to record altitudes to study the effects of a near-space environment on human physiology.” Because of this any many other aeronautical achievements, he was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame in 1987.

It was after retiring from the Air Force that he began his work with Dr. Janet Travell and they published the first medical textbooks on myofascial medicine. Dr. Simons also published approximately 200 publications on myofascial trigger points and chronic pain management. He and Dr. Travell are recognized internationally as trustworthy researchers.

To say that it was an honor to exchange email with Dr. Simons regarding myofascial pain syndrome is an understatement. When Dr. David Simons passed away in 2010, it was a great loss. He did so much to help so many, including myself. It is because of him and Dr. Travell that we can have better pain management today by pain specialists, chiropractors, and bodyworkers who know their work.

A friend of mine, Dr. John Whiteside (Australia), studied directly under Dr. Janet Travell. We became connected when he gave me permission to publish his protocol for treating trigger points in our book. When I expressed my remorse for the loss of Dr. Simons, he had this to say:  

"Great scientists and teachers outlive their mortal lives.”

--Dr. John Whiteside

No truer words have ever been spoken.

Celeste