The authors interest in trigger point therapy began when he used it to successfully treat his frozen shoulder. Since that time, he has dedicated himself to teaching others the same techniques. That dedication is obvious throughout his writing and the care he takes to make the therapy understandable to the lay public. Also included in this new edition is updated information that should be of great interest to pain specialists and bodyworkers, as well as useful instruction in a variety of relaxation techniques. Overall, this book is an excellent self-care resource for anyone interested in pain relief.--Larry Trivieri Jr.

Product Description
Trigger point therapy is one of the most intriguing and fastest-growing bodywork styles in the world. Medical doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapists are all beginning to use this technique to relieve formerly undiagnosable muscle and joint painconditions that studies have shown to be the cause of nearly 25 percent of all doctor visits. The technique involves applying short, repeated massage strokes to trigger points, tiny contraction knots in muscle tissue where restricted circulation and lack of oxygen cause referred pain. Trigger points create pain throughout the body in predictable patterns characteristic to each muscle, producing discomfort ranging from mild to severe. Trigger point massage increases circulation and oxygenation in the area and often produces instant relief. This dynamic technique has made a huge impact among health professionals and the public alike, becoming an overnight classic in the field of pain relief. The book has sold over 145,000 copies since the release of the first edition in 2001. The second edition is a complete update and includes a new chapter specifically for massage professionals, as well as a chapter on systematic muscle relaxation techniques that can reinforce the therapeutic power of trigger point work.

This book is terrific--the best "self-help" book I've seen. It is clearly written, well organized, mostly well illustrated, and contains a wealth of really useful detail. It is definitely not one of those "glossy" books--all photos and no useful information. The author really does take the approach of someone who was himself helped by this therapy and who wants to make it as clear and accessible to his readers as possible. Very highly recommended.


I tell everyone about this book.   December 1, 2001
 179 out of 289 found this review helpful

Mr. Davies has created a very useful reference for my practice as a registered nurse and a massage therapist. I like to show the book to all my clients and most of them end up buying it. Trigger points and the self massage therapy for them are explained in an enjoyable manner. The author's writing is so down to earth that it seems as if he's right in the same room talking to you as you read. It's well organized and based on the works of Travell and Simons. It's easy to look up a particular muscle. The detailed therapy instructions for each site have helpful illustrations and the author explains the usual causes for specific trigger points. I tell my friends, fellow massage therapists and clients that this book is the best resource for self-treatment of muscular pain I have discovered. All health care providers and receivers will benefit from this book and it's not unrealistic to say it will reduce health care costs. The book is a treasure.


Dont get "TOO" excited   June 2, 2006
 86 out of 116 found this review helpful

I have seen all of the 5 star reviews of this book. And the book does have some very good information... however there are quite a few flaws that I found with it:

(A) The massage techniques are EXTREMELY aggresive.. and the book makes little effort to inform people to ease into things. Telling someone with serious (or not serious) pain to cram a lacrosse ball into themselves up to 12 times a day is a surefire way to cause serious bruising and or increased muscle damage. Furthermore, the author uses statements like "mash the muscle into the underlying bone"... ummm....yeeeaaaah.. I wonder how many people have severely bruised or hurt themselves this way yet didnt bother to post a review...?

(B) The author although excited about the technique, certainly (in my opinion) goes to far making it out like.. hey... just massage these couple of places a bunch of times everyday and everything from pain, to digestive disorders, to sports performance will all be cured - improved- fixed -made better... again...a bit too optimistic I think.

(C) The illustrations are exceptionally simple and I dont think it would take "too" much trouble to have had the recently revised edition include better pictures. They have sold hundreds of thousands of these... Im sure someone can afford to pay a decent illustrator to do some better drawings other than the increadibly simpistic ones that are there.

(D) I think the book sets people up with unreasonable expectations.. All of the examples (and reviews on this site) are like.. I suffered from 30 years of chronic debilitating pain- couldnt walk... couldnt sleep... couldnt drive... couldnt work... and after rubbing a tennis ball into my back for 3 days im totally cured. Sorry.. Ive read the book.. Ive used the techniques... I just dont buy it.

I apologize for being such a downer. I am simply trying to offer a more "realistic" assesment of the book and offer some balance to the blizzard of "amazing" reviews the book has.

I really could go on and on... My point.. definately worth a try if you are in pain either acute or chronic... Just keep reasonable expectations and listen to your body... dont over do it.. because if you follow the books intructions to a tee.. you definately will overdo it.


Excellent Book (not Quackery)   January 27, 2004
 85 out of 138 found this review helpful

I was really worried that this book might have been a standard new-age, make-a-buck, quack title. Thank goodness that turned out to be a groundless worry. This is an excellent book (with medical references) that does a very good job of helping you get rid of pain. I had hurt my lower back by performing the arduous task of putting on my underwear. The doctors and physical therapist couldn't really come up with a reason for it. After a month, it still wasn't getting any better. Searching the web gave me references to this book. Within three days of reading it and poking around in my UPPER (not LOWER) back, my thighs, and my abdomen, the pain has faded to just a reminder. I'm still not able to bend and reach like I used to. But, I'm exercising and stretching again, so hopefully that'll change. Best of all, it no longer hurts just to SIT (or lie down or stand, for that matter). After showing my wife that her lower body has just about every active trigger point known, she's also reading the book and working on her points. Hopefully, her pain will reduce in a couple of days, too.

The only reason I gave this book four stars instead of five is that it's kind of hard to find and reference ALL the trigger points associated with a specfic pain FOR THE FIRST TIME. The book does have a diagram for pain locations at the start of each chapter. But, in many cases, the pain will be caused by multiple trigger points in multiple body locations. It takes quite a bit of paging through the book to figure out what you're supposed to do. Once you figure it out, though, the book is great. Of course, in the author's defense, I can't come up with a better organization method outside of having some kind of software with an anatomical display using hyperlinks.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book if you suffer from any kind of chronic pain. Even if your doctor has pronounced judgement that he/she knows what's causing things, try this book. As the author says, trigger point therapy should be the first course of treatment: it's easy and cheap.


All Massage Therapists Should Own and Use This Book   May 1, 2001
 58 out of 69 found this review helpful

Clair Davies is really on to something here. I deal with chronic pain in my massage therapy practice daily. I've been able to help my clients, using Clair's methods, to rid themselves of pain they've dealt with for years. Clair presents his material in an easy to read, practical format--and the pictures are excellent. Anyone--professional and lay person alike--can benefit from this book. In fact, I recommend this book to my clients. I'm always encouraging them to try to help themselves during the time between our sessions. If you've got pain or help others deal with their pain, get this book. You won't be sorry.