Myofascial Trigger Points

Dominik Irnich, MD, is Head of the Interdisciplinary Pain Centre at the University of Munich and Visiting Lecturer at various Universities and Intuitions across Germany, Europe and the USA. Dr Irnich holds a Certificate of Acupuncture, a Certificate of Chinese Massage and a Certificate of Qigong (China Beijing International Acupuncture Training Centre, WHO Collaborating Centre of Traditional Chinese Medicine), a Certificate of Acupuncture (A, B) of the German Medical Acupuncture Association (DÄGfA) and a Certificate of Natural Medicine (Naturopathy) of KneippÄrztebund and is a practicing acupuncturist. Dr. Irnich is a member of faculty at different institutions: German Medical Acupuncture Association (DÄGfA), Acupuncture Course at Julius-Maximilians-University of Regensburg, KneippÄrztebund, Structural Acupuncture Course for Physicians at Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.His fields of research include basic science research (physiology of peripheral nociception including acupuncture) and clinical research on acupuncture and pain (research methodology, clinical effectiveness). Dr Irnich has published 34 original papers, 19 chapters in different textbooks, proceedings, reviews and editorials, 43 abstracts of poster and oral presentations and has given more than 100 invited lectures.

"Myofascia has been quite a buzz word in recent times and there has been much written about the understandings and treatment methods for these 'newly (re) discovered' structures. My main concern was that some of these text lacked an in depth understanding of the subject and did little to explain how fascia fitted into the clinical puzzle. I'm happy to say that this book is excellent and addresses all my concerns! The first few chapters explain the terminology, physiology and anatomy as well as aetiology and pathophysiology of myofascial trigger points." Reviewed by InTouch (Physio First's journal) , Jan 2015

• Section 1 The background 1 Guide to the book2 Terminology3 Epidemiology4 Etiology of myofascial pain syndrome5 The anatomy and physiology of the muscles6 Pathophysiology7 The trigger point as expression of a functional disorder of the locomotor system 8 Trigger points and myofascial pain - acupuncture points and meridian system 9 Myofascial trigger points and fascia 10 Fibromyalgia syndrome11 Myofascial trigger points and somatoform pain 12 Integrated holistic consideration of the muscles 13 Diagnosis of myofascial pain 14 Differential diagnosis Section 2 Treatment of myofascial pain 15 Principles of treatment16 Peculiarities of doctor-patient relationship with chronic pain 17 Selection of suitable treatments 18 Manual therapies and physiotherapeutic procedures 19 Treatment concept - myofascial trigger point therapy 20 Physical procedures 21 Trigger point infiltration 22 Acupuncture and related procedures 23 Complementary and alternative therapy methods and naturopathic treatments 24 Relaxation techniques - body and mind 25 Systemic pharmacotherapy Section 3 Muscles and trigger points 26 Head 27 Throat, neck and shoulder region 28 Shoulder and upper arm 29 Elbow, forearm and hand 30 Thoracic spine and thorax 31 Abdomen32 Lumbar spine, pelvis and hip region (pelvic girdle)33 Hip, thigh and knee 34 Lower leg and foot