tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1250480 2011-06-01T09:25:32-07:00 Working with muscle and other soft tissues. TypePad tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14447 2011-07-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-07-01T12:00:07-07:00

A fundamental key to treating the muscular component of most pain, regardless of the modalities and techniques you specialize in, is to know which muscles to treat based on the location of the patient's pain. This article will review the five muscles that produce frontal headache pain based on the research of Drs. Travell and Simons', the common location of the trigger points in each of those muscles and their referral pain patterns. The muscles are: Sternocleidomastoid (clavicular head), Sternocleidomastoid (sternal head), Semispinalis capitis, Frontalis and Zygomaticus Major.

By David Kent, LMT, NCTMB A fundamental key to treating the muscular component of most pain, regardless of the modalities and techniques you specialize in, is to know which muscles to treat based on the location of the patient's pain. This article will review the five muscles that produce frontal headache pain based on the research of Drs. Travell and Simons', the common location of the trigger points in each of those muscles and their referral pain patterns. The muscles are: Sternocleidomastoid (clavicular head), Sternocleidomastoid (sternal head), Semispinalis capitis, Frontalis and Zygomaticus Major. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14439 2011-06-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-06-01T12:00:07-07:00

A few years ago, I bought a book that dramatically changed my view of water – "You're Not Sick, You're Thirsty," by F. Batmangheldj, M.D. He has written several books related to water and human health. As a massage therapist, his work changed how I talk to clients about proper hydration and changed how I view the origin of pain and suffering within the human body.

By Rita Woods, LMT A few years ago, I bought a book that dramatically changed my view of water – "You're Not Sick, You're Thirsty," by F. Batmangheldj, M.D. He has written several books related to water and human health. As a massage therapist, his work changed how I talk to clients about proper hydration and changed how I view the origin of pain and suffering within the human body. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14336 2010-12-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-12-01T12:00:07-07:00

There is accumulating evidence for clinical focus on key muscular and fascial structures with the potential to influence pelvic pain and dysfunction.

By Leon Chaitow, ND, DO There is accumulating evidence for clinical focus on key muscular and fascial structures with the potential to influence pelvic pain and dysfunction. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14320 2010-11-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-11-01T12:00:07-07:00

In part 1 of this series, we discussed contract relax (CR) stretching, which involves neural inhibition to augment the mechanical stretch of the target musculature. Here, in Part 2 of this series, we will discuss agonist contract (AC) stretching, which also uses neural inhibition to augment the mechanical stretch of the target musculature.

By Joseph E. Muscolino, DC In part 1 of this series, we discussed contract relax (CR) stretching, which involves neural inhibition to augment the mechanical stretch of the target musculature. Here, in Part 2 of this series, we will discuss agonist contract (AC) stretching, which also uses neural inhibition to augment the mechanical stretch of the target musculature. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14287 2010-09-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-09-01T12:00:07-07:00

Calcific tendinitis in the shoulder is a soft-tissue pain complaint that may be acute but is usually chronic, and affects the rotator cuff tendons. Its symptoms somewhat mimic other conditions such as adhesive capsulitis, rotator cuff disorders, shoulder impingement syndrome, or traditional tendinitis characterized by tendon fiber inflammation. Because of these similar symptoms, knowing the evaluation procedures that will distinguish this condition from others is a priority for treatment. Treatment strategies also differ so attention to the particular treatment protocols for this condition is necessary for pain resolution or management.

By Whitney Lowe, LMT Calcific tendinitis in the shoulder is a soft-tissue pain complaint that may be acute but is usually chronic, and affects the rotator cuff tendons. Its symptoms somewhat mimic other conditions such as adhesive capsulitis, rotator cuff disorders, shoulder impingement syndrome, or traditional tendinitis characterized by tendon fiber inflammation. Because of these similar symptoms, knowing the evaluation procedures that will distinguish this condition from others is a priority for treatment. Treatment strategies also differ so attention to the particular treatment protocols for this condition is necessary for pain resolution or management. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14272 2010-08-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-08-01T12:00:07-07:00

While there are many causes for headaches, one contributing factor is the presence of myofascial trigger points and the referred phenomena they produce. Patients commonly report this referred phenomena as a headache or head pain. The causes for the initial formation of myofascial trigger points and the perpetuating factors that influences them over time varies. Research studies by Drs. Simons and Travel have documented the general region within the tissues where trigger points form and the referral patterns they produce. Your ability to educate clients about trigger points can directly affect: whether the client reschedules or upgrades to a package of treatments; in some cases, the amount of your tip; and if they refer other new clients.

By David Kent, LMT, NCTMB While there are many causes for headaches, one contributing factor is the presence of myofascial trigger points and the referred phenomena they produce. Patients commonly report this referred phenomena as a headache or head pain. The causes for the initial formation of myofascial trigger points and the perpetuating factors that influences them over time varies. Research studies by Drs. Simons and Travel have documented the general region within the tissues where trigger points form and the referral patterns they produce. Your ability to educate clients about trigger points can directly affect: whether the client reschedules or upgrades to a package of treatments; in some cases, the amount of your tip; and if they refer other new clients. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14228 2010-06-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-06-01T12:00:07-07:00

It's not uncommon to have clients walk into your office sporting a 12-pound head that's migrated three inches forward of their shoulders. You know prior to palpation that their cervical extensors (semispinalis, splenii, longissimus and upper traps) are in a losing battle attempting to isometrically restrain 42 pounds against the unrelenting force of gravity.

By Erik Dalton, PhD It's not uncommon to have clients walk into your office sporting a 12-pound head that's migrated three inches forward of their shoulders. You know prior to palpation that their cervical extensors (semispinalis, splenii, longissimus and upper traps) are in a losing battle attempting to isometrically restrain 42 pounds against the unrelenting force of gravity. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14188 2010-04-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-04-01T12:00:07-07:00

An injured sacrotuberous ligament can cause pain down the back of the leg. True or false? True. This is its referred pain pattern. The sacrotuberous ligament is a thin, fan-shaped structure that runs obliquely downward from the posterior-superior and posterior-inferior iliac lines and the lateral margins of the sacrum and coccyx, inserting on the ischial tuberosity of the pelvis (the bone you sit on).

By Ben Benjamin, PhD An injured sacrotuberous ligament can cause pain down the back of the leg. True or false? True. This is its referred pain pattern. The sacrotuberous ligament is a thin, fan-shaped structure that runs obliquely downward from the posterior-superior and posterior-inferior iliac lines and the lateral margins of the sacrum and coccyx, inserting on the ischial tuberosity of the pelvis (the bone you sit on). tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14119 2009-11-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-11-01T12:00:07-07:00

Structurally oriented therapists are keenly aware of the crucial role proper iliosacral alignment plays in preventing compensatory low back and SI joint pain. During the 10-step screening evaluation, therapists usually compare anatomical landmarks such as anterior and posterior superior iliac spines and iliac crests. A commonly observed pattern reveals an anterior/inferior right rotated ilium accompanied by a high left posterior rotated ilium.

By Erik Dalton, PhD Structurally oriented therapists are keenly aware of the crucial role proper iliosacral alignment plays in preventing compensatory low back and SI joint pain. During the 10-step screening evaluation, therapists usually compare anatomical landmarks such as anterior and posterior superior iliac spines and iliac crests. A commonly observed pattern reveals an anterior/inferior right rotated ilium accompanied by a high left posterior rotated ilium. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14049 2009-08-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-08-01T12:00:07-07:00

Trigger points in the serratus posterior superior frequently cause pain near or under the shoulder blades, or in other regions throughout the upper extremities. This article will discuss ways to identify trigger-point patterns in the serratus posterior superior, as well as provide tips for treating the area.

By David Kent, LMT, NCTMB Trigger points in the serratus posterior superior frequently cause pain near or under the shoulder blades, or in other regions throughout the upper extremities. This article will discuss ways to identify trigger-point patterns in the serratus posterior superior, as well as provide tips for treating the area. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14035 2009-07-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-07-01T12:00:07-07:00

The muscles in the anterior neck can become hypertonic or develop myofascial trigger points as a result of injury, poor posture, or simple overexertion. Some anterior cervical muscles are superficial and easily accessible, while others are deep and difficult to access with soft-tissue therapies. Because of sensitive neurological and vascular structures in the neck, it is important to reconsider the wisdom of applying treatments to the deep anterior neck muscles.

By Whitney Lowe, LMT The muscles in the anterior neck can become hypertonic or develop myofascial trigger points as a result of injury, poor posture, or simple overexertion. Some anterior cervical muscles are superficial and easily accessible, while others are deep and difficult to access with soft-tissue therapies. Because of sensitive neurological and vascular structures in the neck, it is important to reconsider the wisdom of applying treatments to the deep anterior neck muscles. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14017 2009-06-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-06-01T12:00:07-07:00

Back pain is a common complaint among massage clients, and symptoms such as pain across the mid-back or low-back pain over the sacrum below the iliac crest in the gluteal region could be the result of myofascial trigger points in the rectus abdominis.

By David Kent, LMT, NCTMB Back pain is a common complaint among massage clients, and symptoms such as pain across the mid-back or low-back pain over the sacrum below the iliac crest in the gluteal region could be the result of myofascial trigger points in the rectus abdominis. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-13991 2009-05-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-05-01T12:00:07-07:00

If you've ever been running or hiking downhill and experienced a nagging pain on the side of your knee, there is a good chance you were feeling iliotibial band (ITB) friction syndrome. It is an overuse condition resulting from repetitive flexion and extension of the knee in activities such as running, and is considered the primary cause of lateral knee pain.1 Several factors contribute to the problem, including structural deviations in the hip or knee, tightness of the hip muscles, or lack of proper conditioning. However, a new anatomical study sheds a different light on the ITB and requires us to take another view of this problem. It appears the cause of pain and mechanics of ITB function, however, may be different than we have previously thought.

By Whitney Lowe, LMT If you've ever been running or hiking downhill and experienced a nagging pain on the side of your knee, there is a good chance you were feeling iliotibial band (ITB) friction syndrome. It is an overuse condition resulting from repetitive flexion and extension of the knee in activities such as running, and is considered the primary cause of lateral knee pain.1 Several factors contribute to the problem, including structural deviations in the hip or knee, tightness of the hip muscles, or lack of proper conditioning. However, a new anatomical study sheds a different light on the ITB and requires us to take another view of this problem. It appears the cause of pain and mechanics of ITB function, however, may be different than we have previously thought.