Book Review: The Frozen Shoulder Workbook by C Davies

A trigger point is a tiny bundle of fibres inside a muscle that contracts and stays in a knot.

This knot causes ongoing pain, or no pain at all until pressed. In most cases, however, the trigger point sends the pain elsewhere.

The pain from the trigger points is therefore called 'referred pain'.

The trigger points causing the referred pain could be inches away or further from the actual site of the pain. The secret to success was finding these trigger points.

The medical books of Travell and Simons provided Davies with the map to the hidden treasure. His book, created for the layperson, is based on their ground-breaking but little known technique.

Davies believes that misdiagnosis is the single most important issue regarding shoulder problems and that trigger points are the cause of nearly all shoulder pain.

His book begins with a detailed anatomical description of the shoulder bones and muscles. It is not essential to read this section first, but it certainly gives an insight into the structure of the shoulder and its complex brilliance.

So, although not essential, reading all of these sections on the anatomy of the shoulder will give you knowledge - and Knowledge is Power.  Understanding will give you confidence to take control of and manage your pain.

This chapter fully covers all trigger point symptoms, causes and perpetuators and gives detailed instructions as to massage method. Chapter 4 also emphasizes that treatments should be brief and often.

Trigger points can hurt when massaged, but a moderate amount of pain can be beneficial, stimulating a flood of painkilling endorphins which will reduce the initial pain.

Chapters 5, 6 and 7 get down to the nitty-gritty of hands-on practical treatment for the frozen shoulder. They help to locate and treat the trigger points that are causing the pain. There are clear, detailed drawings throughout the book and in these particular chapters the illustrations are excellent at helping to find the areas of pain and their possible trigger points.

If you suffer from frozen shoulder this is one book that should be on your shelf.

Source:

• The Frozen Shoulder Workbook: Trigger Point Therapy for Overcoming Pain & Regaining Range of Motion by Clair Davies, NCTMB (New Harbinger Publications, 2006)

Disclaimer:

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.