Acupuncture, Trigger Points and Musculoskeletal Pain

The third edition of this highly successful book describes how musculoskeletal pain can be simply and effectively treated by acupuncture. It gives a comprehensive account of current knowledge concerning two very commonly occurring musculoskeletal pain disorders - the myofascial trigger point pain syndrome and the fibromyalgia syndrome.

Myofascial trigger point pain syndrome is an all too common complaint. It often goes unrecognised or alternatively is passed off as trivial and ineffectively treated. This third edition gives a wide ranging review of current knowledge concerning it. The author, after having given a detailed account of the neurophysiology of pain in general, discusses at length the pathophysiology of myofascial trigger point nociceptive pain and the rationale for alleviating it by means of the acupuncture technique of superficially applied dry needle - evoked nerve stimulation at trigger point sites.

Features

• Evidence-based - up-to-date and detailed information on the latest studies on trigger points, musculoskeletal pain, and the physiology of pain - giving the reader the most authoritative assessments available on this topic.
• Practical - treatment guidelines provided in step-by-step descriptions - so that the reader can apply the information directly in their clinic.
• Clearly illustrated - techniques and areas of pain and needling are thoroughly described in illustrations - giving the reader confidence in practice.
• Expanded chapters on highly topical subjects of fibromyalgia and neurophysiology of myofascial trigger points - covering symptoms commonly presenting in readers' clinics
  More information on common problem of whiplash injuries - offering more treatment options for the clinician
• New chapter on complex regional pain syndrome - helping the reader to identify and treat an often-misinterpreted pattern of pain.

What's New

• 5 new chapters
• Each chapter has been thoroughly revised with fully updated references
• Includes all relevant clinical trial information
• Part 3 includes information on a wide range of topics such as migraine, laterial epidondylalgia, repetitive strain injury, whiplash and pelvic floor pain disorders

Contents

Introduction

PART ONE Acupuncture - a historical review.Traditional Chinese acupuncture. How news of acupuncture and moxibustion spread from China to the outside world. The practice of acupuncture in the Western world during the 19th century

PART TWO Principles of trigger point acupuncture. Some basic observations leading to its development. Evolution of knowledge concerning syndromes for which it is employed. Neurophysiology of pain. Myofascial trigger point pain and fibromyalgia syndromes. Concurrent complex regional and myofascial trigger point pain syndromes. Neurophysiological pain - suppressing effects of acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Treatment of myofascial trigger point pain and fibromyalgia syndromes. Scientific evaluation of acupuncture's ability to relieve nociceptive pain.

PART THREE The practical application of trigger point acupuncture. Chest pain. The painful shoulder. Pain in the neck. Pain in the arm. Pain in the head and face. Low-back pain. Pain in the lower limb. Pain in and around joints. Abdominal and pelvic pain.