Trigger Point theory.

• Causes of trigger point formation
• Trigger points refer pain in predictable patterns
• Trigger points affect muscle, fascia and ligaments
• Other symptoms that trigger points produce (e.g. autonomic/proprioceptive phenomena)
• Susceptibility to trigger points
• Vitamins and minerals; their relationship to muscle health
• How to carry out basic “trigger points” assessment of your client
• How to physically train/rehab the client when trigger points are suspected
• The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: by Clair Davies, N.C.T.M.B.
• Travell and Simons, M.D. and their contributions to Trigger Point

TMJD and Related Issues.

• Practicing location/palpation techniques on sternocleidomastoid, levator scapula, masseter* , temporalis, lateral pterygoid*, medial pterygoid, digastric, pectoralis, and trapezius muscles.

(*NCBTMB workshops – external palpation only)

Treating Headaches, Neck Pain, Vertigo, and Migraine.

• detailed palpation techniques of muscles for trigger points, treatment techniques, post-treatment protocol, latent/active TrPs, contraindications.
• explain how TrPs play a major role in vertigo, neck pain, headache issues and migraine.
• discuss the muscles that play a causal role in these issues – and how to deactivate their trigger points.
• Some muscles we will treat are: sternocleidomastoid, suboccipital, trapezius, temporalis, and others.
• demonstrate how exercise affects trigger points in these muscles.
• protocol for rehabilitating the TrP affected muscle.
• how TrPs always affect muscle strength and performance and why muscle performance always improves when trigger points are removed.
• the effects of heat/ice on TrPs.
• how stress, medications, over-use, trauma and skeletal abnormalities affect TrPs.

Arm Pain, CTS, Tennis/Golfer’s Elbow, Hand Pain/Numbness.

• detailed palpation techniques of muscles for trigger points, treatment techniques, post-treatment protocol, latent/active TrPs, contraindications.
• explain how TrPs play a major role in arm pain, CTS, tennis/golfer’s elbow, hand pain/numbness.
• discuss the muscles that play a causal role in these issues – and how to deactivate their trigger points.
• Some muscles we will treat are: triceps, scalenes, biceps, hand extensors/flexors and others.
• demonstrate how exercise affects trigger points in these muscles.
• protocol for rehabilitating the TrP affected muscle.
• how stress, medications, over-use, trauma and skeletal abnormalities affect TrPs.

Chest Pain, Breast Pain, and Upper Back Pain.

• detailed palpation techniques of muscles for trigger points, treatment techniques, post-treatment protocol, latent/active TrPs, contraindications.
• explain how TrPs play a major role in chest pain, breast pain, and upper back pain.
• discuss the muscles that play a causal role in these issues – and how to deactivate their trigger points.
• Some muscles we will treat are: pectoralis major/minor, serratus anterior, serratus posterior superior, scalenes, rhomboids, and others.
• demonstrate how exercise affects trigger points in these muscles.
• protocol for rehabilitating the TrP affected muscle.
• how stress, medications, over-use, trauma and skeletal abnormalities affect TrPs.

Lumbar, Hip, Buttock, and Groin Issues.

• detailed palpation techniques of muscles for trigger points, treatment techniques, post-treatment protocol, latent/active TrPs, contraindications.
• explain how TrPs play a major role in lumbar pain, hips, buttocks, and groin issues.
• discuss the muscles that play a causal role in these issues – and how to deactivate their trigger points.
• Some muscles we will treat are: gluteus maximus/medius/minimus, quadratus lumborum, erector spinae, piriformis, iliopsoas*, rectus abdominis* and others.
• demonstrate how exercise affects trigger points in these muscles.
• protocol for rehabilitating the TrP affected muscle.
• how stress, medications, over-use, trauma and skeletal abnormalities affect TrPs.

* NCBTMB workshops will only include treating TrPs in the abdominal area between the ASIS and xiphoid process.

Bladder, IBS, Genital/Pelvic Floor Pain, Dysmenorrhea, Abdominal, and Autonomic/Proprioceptive phenomena Issues.

• detailed palpation techniques of muscles for trigger points, treatment techniques, post-treatment protocol, latent/active TrPs, contraindications.
• explain how TrPs play a major role in bladder*, IBS*, genital pain*, dysmenorrhea*, and abdominal* and autonomic phenomena issues.
• discuss the muscles that play a causal role in these issues – and discuss how to deactivate their trigger points.
• Some muscles we will treat are: abdominal obliques, rectus abdominis, adductor magnus/ longus/ brevis**, pectoralis major and sternocleidomastoid.
• demonstrate how exercise affects trigger points in these muscles.
• protocol for rehabilitating the TrP affected muscle.
• how stress, over-use, trauma and skeletal abnormalities affect TrPs.

* NCBTMB workshops will only include treating TrPs in the abdominal area above ASIS.
** NCBTMB workshops will only include treating TrPs in the distal 2/3 of the thigh.

Thigh, (includes hamstring issues) Knees, Legs and Feet.

This will include sciatic pain, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and shin splints and Morton foot structure.

• detailed palpation techniques of muscles for trigger points, treatment techniques, post-treatment protocol, latent/active TrPs, contraindications.
• explain how TrPs play a major role in thigh, knees, legs and feet; this will include sciatic pain, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and shin splints.
• discuss the muscles that play a causal role in these issues – and how to deactivate their trigger points.
• Some muscles we will treat are: biceps femoris, semitendinosis, semimembranosus, hip adductors, quadriceps, extrinsic/intrinsic foot muscles.
• demonstrate how exercise affects trigger points in these muscles.
• protocol for rehabilitating the TrP affected muscle.
• how stress, over-use, trauma and skeletal abnormalities affect TrPs.

Questions / Summary / Certificates / Evaluations