Low Back Pain – Paraspinals
Deep vs Superfical Paraspinals The chronic low back pain multifidi and longissimus cause can be severe. Of the seven primary muscle groups that refer pain into the low back these are the only two of them live in the lumbar spine. Note that the pain of trigger points in [...]
Back Pain and Head Forward Posture
We treat more back pain than any other complaint, split about evenly between upper and lower back pain. Additionally, most of the people we see whose chief complaint is low back pain (LBP) also often concede that they have some upper back pain (UBP) as well - and vice [...]
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment and Foot Pain
It's Not Just For Runners Anymore... Plantar Fasciitis treatment is often ineffective. This is because the mechanism is poorly understood and the wrong tissues are often treated. (PF) is an inflammation of the plantar fascia. It causes pain on the bottom of the foot. This is typically worse [...]
Migraine Headache – Myofascial Therapy
Head and neck pain, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound and smells, fatigue and irritability... These are just some of the symptoms of migraine headache. Myofascial trigger point therapy can help!
Wrist Pain – Forearm Overload…
Decades ago, before I became a Myofascial Therapist, I routinely experienced pain when extending my wrists, making exercises like plank pretty difficult. Over time, it passed and returned occasionally, but the recurring episodes were brief and I didn’t investigate further. Two weeks ago the pain returned with a [...]
Chronic Headache Pain – Myofascial Therapy
Learn more about how myofascial and trigger point therapy can help relieve the chronic pain of migraines, tension and cluster headaches.
Coracobrachialis – Front of Shoulder Pain
The coracobrachialis muscle is a small muscle on front of the shoulder. It is often missed as source of pain in the front of the shoulder. It originates on the top of the coracoid process and proceeds out to the middle of the humerus between the attachments of the [...]
Deltoid Muscles – Deep Shoulder Pain
The deltoid is sometimes considered one muscle with three sections and sometimes treated as three separate muscles. Together they form the bulk of your shoulder and are used to raise your arm from your side and flex and extend your arm at the shoulder. Problems with the deltoid muscles [...]
Lower Leg Pain? Trigger Point Referrals
Sorting out lower leg pain? Trigger point referrals are usually pretty straightforward. First, we divide your leg into three sections, the front (your shin), the outside, and the back (calf). Each of these sections has a small number of muscles that cause myofascial pain. Quickly checking the [...]
Strengthening Cervical Flexors Reduces Pain
If you have headache, neck, and upper back problems, strengthening cervical flexors reduces pain. This is a key consideration in Upper Crossed Syndrome and Forward Head Posture generally. Several muscle groups that flex the neck forward. At first, the most obvious ones are the SCM (Sterno-Cleido Mastoid) - [...]
Myofascial Treatment of Knee Pain
Today, let's focus on myofascial treatment of knee pain, specifically in the front, upper area of the knee. The knee seems like a small area but when it gives us trouble it literally dogs our every step. This is the most common area that might be painful for you. [...]
Low Back Pain – Quadratus Lumborum
Chronic Low Back Pain - Quadratus Lumborum (QL) can cause debilitating pain. It is a factor in most chronic low back pain cases. The pattern often radiates downward from the low back into the crest of the hip, sacrum, lower buttock and hip. It is typically worse on [...]
Claw Toes and Foot Pain – Long Toe Flexors
Claw Toes and Foot Pain If you are developing claw toes and foot pain, you may have trigger points in your long toe flexors. These are really a type of hammer toe. True claw toes are [...]
Pain is No “Gain” – Why Less Is More
You can’t avoid the ads for diets, exercise equipment, health clubs and all things "fitness" in January. There are various reasons that most people do not stick to a new routine. Want a flat stomach, smaller butt, better toned chest and arms…? Sure, doesn’t everyone? We find these things [...]
Strengthen Shoulder Depressors to Reduce Pain
Our trapezius or "traps" divide into three sections. They have have radically different shapes, fiber directions and primary movement functions. Yet, this does still behave as one muscle. In particular, when our lower traps are weak or inhibited, our upper and middle traps will try to assist. One of [...]
Upper Crossed Syndrome and Chronic Pain
Upper Crossed Syndrome and chronic pain (UCS). The imbalance of four key muscle groups underlies many cases of headache, neck and upper back pain. Upper back and neck pain is epidemic in our culture. It has surpassed low back pain as the number one chronic pain complaint. [...]
Diaphragmatic Breathing Reduces Back Pain
Low back pain is routinely listed as the largest cause of chronic pain in the US. It is responsible for more occupational disability than any other cause. It doesn't seem possible that simply practicing diaphragmatic breathing reduces back pain, but it does. Besides, deep breathing should be the [...]
Reducing Upper Back and Neck Pain
Virtually everyone wants to Reduce Upper Back and Neck Pain! It is understandable that we focus on locations that are painful. These areas are all strained by head forward posture and rounding of the shoulders. It is useful to provide relief for these areas, both in treatment and [...]
Do CBD Products Reduce Pain Safely and Effectively?
Wondering about all the hype? Can CBD products reduce pain? We see CBD products advertised everywhere, for practically everything. Recently, CBD is in everything from bath bombs to gummy bears! CBD products are legal in all 50 states. But, they are treated as a supplement and not regulated [...]
Low Back Pain – Psoas / Hip Flexors
Chronic Low Back Pain - Psoas Psoas major is your primary hip flexor. It can cause a well defined and excruciating pain pattern. The two psoas muscles and ileacus together are called iliopsoas. Dysfunction on either side will cause you pain on that side in a diffuse spot [...]
Treatment of Lower Crossed Syndrome
Do you want to reduce low back pain? Have you ever heard of Lower Crossed Syndrome? We have mentioned in other articles that individual muscle syndromes do not occur in isolation very often. So, you might find it helpful to see related muscles in context. Lower Crossed [...]
Fascial Stretching Improves Performance
Sure, you can play through the pain. But everyone knows that they perform better when things don’t hurt and move freely. By reducing pain and increasing range of motion, Fascial Stretching improves performance for both amateur and professional athletes alike! Professionals aren't the only performance athletes anymore. More recently, [...]
Big Toe and Ankle Pain – Tibialis Anterior
Chronic big toe and ankle pain can be caused by trigger points in the Tibialis Anterior (TibA) muscle. This is a common problem for many runners and other athletes. Maybe your TibA is inhibited and not engaging well with other muscles in your calf. How does this happen?
Foot Pain – Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot
Many things outside your feet can make them hurt. For instance, myofascial dysfunction some of the muscles of the calf or hip can cause problems with your feet. However, some foot problems really do orginate in the feet. In addition, the 'intrinsic' muscles of your foot can [...]
Which Kind of Low Back Pain Am I?
What causes my particular Low Back Pain? It is one of the most debilitating conditions in the US. There are many causes that overlap and inter-relate.
Infraspinatus Muscle – Shoulder to Hand Pain
The infrapinatus muscle is a thick irregular rotator cuff muscle located on the back of your shoulder blade. It has a strong connection to the shoulder and along with teres minor, rotates your arm externally. Most importantly, in conjunction with the other rotator cuff muscles, it is responsible for [...]
Chronic Pain-Better Sleep Can Help
Sleep is a natural process when we rest and repair ourselves. In, fact a minimum amount of sleep is needed for survival. However, we need larger amount of sleep to be at our best. Ideally, we don't need to do anything about sleep. Usually, we get tired, we go to bed, sleep all night and wake up the next day feel refreshed.
Exercises Reduce Low Back Pain and Sciatica
Low Back Pain can be excruciating, but the radiating pain of sciatica may be worse! Most often, this is caused by neuromuscular and fascial issues and should be treated conservatively. These exercises are very similar to those offered for recovery from uncomplicated disc injuries in PT and other [...]
Do Cortisone Shots Actually Make Things Worse?
For myofascial problems, in a word, 'yes'! Cortisone is ineffective for these conditions and can be harmful. Yet, today cortisone shots remain a standard, much-requested treatment for tennis elbow and other tendon problems. Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory. However, the nature of myofascial pain, taut band development, trigger point [...]
Supraspinatus Muscle – Arm Raising Pain
The supraspinatus muscle is the most active of the four rotator cuff muscles. It is responsible for abduction of the your arm at the shoulder. Most importantly, in conjunction with the other rotator cuff muscles, it is responsible for dynamic stabilization of the shoulder joint. The shoulder has less [...]
Chronic Headache? Cold Activates Trigger Points
Sudden chilling of the muscles sometimes activates trigger points. The muscles in the back of the head and neck are especially vulnerable. Wearing a scarf and hat is a must for many. Consider the following real life case history. We shared this one about 5 years ago but [...]
New Trends in IT Band Pain Relief
It has been assumed that the primary purpose of the Ilio Tibial Band (ITB) was to provide lateral stabilization. However, recent research, including studies from Catherine Eng, summarized in the Harvard Gazette tells a different story. The ITB connects the Gluteus Maximus [...]
Causes and Treatment of Bunions
Early in my career I treated a lot of feet. As a freshly minted myofascial therapist I had been taught that we could "fix" bunions, hammer and claw toes. Well, I saw quickly that it is a common problem had plenty of practice in a short time! A [...]
Cluster Headaches – Myofascial TriggerPoints
The sudden pain of cluster headaches is one of the worst pains we can have. With intense pain on one side of your head, nausea, vertigo and other symptoms, it seems like a migraine. Mercifully, they don't last too long. Secondary trigger point activations are common. If [...]
Will an MRI Help Diagnose Your Low Back Pain?
Should you consider an MRI for chronic Lower Back Pain (LBP)? Maybe, but it depends quite a lot on your history. First, numerous studies show there is little correlation between patient histories, MRI results and outcomes. In fact, the American College of Physicians and American Pain Society published [...]
Erase Pain Through Movement
I started taking dance classes years ago, after many rounds of physical therapy for an assortment injuries. I was awkward and clumsy, but I stuck with it for quite a while. I noticed that some of my nagging pains faded and my range of motion increased - even [...]
Cervicogenic Headaches – Trigger Point Therapy
Myofascial Trigger Point referrals from muscles in the neck can cause Cervicogenic Headache Symptoms are similar to tension headaches and migraines. However, cervicogenic headaches often begin in muscles in the upper neck. If you have cervicogenic headache - trigger point therapy can help! For general headache info, [...]
Headaches and Neck Muscles – Intro
Headaches are often triggered and/or aggravated by a constellation of muscles of the neck that contain taut bands, trigger points and other dysfunctional segments. Understanding the relationships between these muscles helps determine approaches for treatment and as well as self-care. The muscles of the neck are part of a [...]
Low Back Pain – Rectus Abdominis
Rectus Abdominis - The Six Pack Muscle Chronic Low Back Pain - Rectus Abdominis can develop trigger points that cause severe back pain. It may surprise you that the quest for a flat stomach does not strengthen your core. In addition, it often generates trigger points in this [...]
