Myofascial Trigger Points. Pathophysiology and Evidence-Informed Diagnosis and Management

Myofascial Trigger Points: Pathophysiology and Evidence-Informed Diagnosis and Management examines a special topic, JMMT. Emphasis is on the etiology of trigger points with a critical overview of current concepts. The contributing authors are the most respected myofascial pain research and practice experts. The authors address the etiology of trigger points, the epidemiology of myofascial pain, clinical management of patients, specific treatment issues, and the role of trigger points in various pain syndromes. This book is an accessible introduction to myofascial trigger points for physicians, therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, acupuncturists, and massage therapists.

Features include:

• A review of the integrated trigger point hypothesis.

• Trigger points features are highlighted within the context of clinical manual medicine and manual therapy.   

• A systematic analysis of the evidence with regard to effectiveness of non-invasive treatments.

• Review of invasive therapies with specific attention to trigger point dry needling.

• Detailed review of the proposed role of myofascial trigger points in peripheral and central sensitization.

• Discussion of the interrater reliability of trigger point palpation in shoulder muscles.

• Exploration of the contribution of myofascial trigger points in the etiology of chronic tension-type headaches.

• Case history of a patient with chronic daily headache, emphasizing the integration of trigger point therapy into a broader therapeutic management approach.

Table of Contents

Part  1  Pathophysiology
  Chapter  1  Myofascial Trigger Points: Translating Molecular Theory into Manual Therapy
  Chapter  2  Myofascial Trigger Points: An Evidence-Informed Review
  Chapter  3  Nutritional and Metabolic Perpetuating Factors in Myofascial Pain
Part  2  Diagnosis
  Chapter  4  Reliability of Myofascial Trigger Point Palpation: A Systematic Review
  Chapter  5  Interrater Reliability of Palpation of Myofascial Trigger Points in Three Shoulder Muscles
  Chapter  6  Contributions of Myofascial Trigger Points to Chronic Tension Type Headache
Part  3  Management
  Chapter  7  Effectiveness of Non-invasive Treatments for Active Myofascial Trigger Point Pain: A Systematic Review
  Chapter  8  Trigger Point Dry Needling
  Chapter  9  Physical Therapy Diagnosis and Management of a Patient with Chronic Daily Headache: A Case Report
Part  4  Future Research Directions
  Chapter  10  Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Unresolved Issues and Future Directions