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I’m so greatful for this I am about in tears. I have been struggling with myofascial pain and was telling my husband I had to find some kind of remedy for the pain I don’t want the meds just want some relief and then this I just stumbled across thank God. I have not had this much relief since my diagnosis in November I’m so very grateful I will do these things daily it’s totally awesome!!!
ReplyHello La Shonda
I am so pleased to hear you are getting real benefit from the treatments on the site. Keep up the good work!
Kind Regards
Jonathan
[Please note- I cannot suggest a specific treatment for your complaint as I have not taken a full history, examined you or reviewed your investigations.
Therefore all comments I make can only be general – relating broadly to the problem you have described. ]
Dr. J. Kuttner
I would like to thank you for all the support and information that you send me by E-mail, about having trigger points , myofacial, and muscle spasm. It started when I fall 4 feet from a 5 step ladder backward to a steel flooring at work, I had concusion and was send to the hospital. I had a lumbar spine injury, and neck.Since you were sending me all the exercise and how to find trigger points ,it was so relieve that I”m back to my work full time again. But I have one more problem ,I notice that I have tingling in my left hand and my fingers are getting numb you think its related to my injury?
because my left side was the one that was injured the most. But my Doctor told me it was carpal tunnel. I”m still waiting for the test result from last two weels ago. Doctor can you help me?
Thank you so much and God Bless
Mercy Manalo
ReplyWow! Same exact symptoms as me. I fell down a flight of 10 stairs 3 years ago and have been in pain ever since, with my left side being worse. I have had pain go down my arm as well. Did you get a resolution?
ReplyDr. Kuttner, you have been a Godsend to me. Not only am I able to help myself relieve my osteoarthritis pains, but as a student massage therapist and having to do 25 massages and find my own people to do them on in order to graduate, I have used the information sent by email to help others. I’m very excited about this.
Also, because of the information you forwarded me to help me with my NeuroMuscular/Trigger Point presentation in class, I got an “A” for the assignment with the teacher’s comment “Great Report.”
Thank you so very much. If I ever get the opportunity to go to New Zealand, I want to meet you in person. Keep up the good work. You are helping so many people through your work and website.
ReplyMuch of what you are teaching I have already learned and use. It has been helpful to me in that it confirms that my self-treatment is accurate. I think emotions of anxiety, worry, and fear all increases the pain. The more one focuses on one’s pain the worse it becomes.
Knowing that others suffer from the same symptoms is very helpful.
[…] Click the link below to learn how to self treat triggers in your neck: Neck Myofascial Trigger Points. […]
ReplyHi _ How do I find a physician in my area that uses this treatment? My zip code is 30096. Thank you.
ReplyI have been experiencing pain on the right-hand side of my head for some time. It feels more like pressure and can make me feel dizzy and disorientated. I have a lump above my temple. The top of my scalp is pink and very tender. This is worse now than ever and makes me feel like this is something very serious.
Does this sound like trigger points to you ?
Thank you
Leanne
ReplyOne word – THERACANE.
The doctor refers to it here and it will do wonders for you. I have suffered with should pain for going on 7 years now, and once I bought a Theracane (2 days ago, by the way), the pain is on it’s way out. I now realize that my shoulder was so locked up, so deep down, that everything hurt. I knew I needed to get in there deep and really work it out, but I could not do it with my own fingers and any massage that I got just didn’t cut it. I used a Theracane many, many years ago for my back and just rediscovered them and bought one on Amazon for $29. I promise you that if you have deep pain caused by trigger points (even if you didn’t know what the heck a trigger point was), this amazing little tool will be a miracle for you. My wife and kids laugh at me when I use it since you look a bit silly, but I don’t care. It’s a lifesaver.
ReplyJust a suggestion Dr. Your first sentence has a misspelled word. Actually it’s a made up word. There is no such word as “commonest”. It’s “most common”. Other than that…great job and way to go on helping so many people. 🙂
ReplyActually, “commonest” is definitely a word…though, seldom used. (I’m an English professor.)
ReplyWow… My hat is off to you, I have been struggling with upper back pain (in between my shoulder blades and spine) for about 6 months. I can’t even begin to tell you how much relief I have now. As I pressed down into my clavical area,(the soft spot behind it) I got a shooting pain right in between the shoulder, where it’s been hurting me. I followed your directions to reset the point and I think it’s working good. The muscle seems to tense up now and then but I apply the process and the pain retreats.
I thank you so very much for the tips. And for anyone with pain in the upper back, look into the SCALENE muscles…… Ahhhhhh so much better…..
ReplySir it was superbly explained thanks for the great info am a physiotherspist and type of pain comes in acessing daily.
ReplyMy partner and I stumbled over here coming from a different website and thought I may as well check things out.
I like what I see so i am just following you.
Look forward to looking over your web page
again.
Thank you so much for the explanation about trigger points. I’ve had some de-stressing massages from skilled persons, and know when and where they hit on a trigger point. But I’ve never been able to achieve the same result myself, even though I could easily find the trigger point. Now I understand how it works and have just removed enormous stress from my neck (computer and stress driven) – finding the trigger points – and applying your technique. I feel great. Thankyou for literally changing my life
Frank
ReplyPlease send me any info you can give me on self treatment for tension headaches. I have had headaches for 30 years now and don’t go one day without at least otc pain relievers. I have tramadol which helps greatly, but I can only take it every other day. I would rather just not have so many darn headaches then I wouldn’t have to use so much pain reliever. My shoulders are incredibly tight, I have been told. They are. Then there is the once a month or at least every other month migraine I get. If there was only something to knock me out when I get those, I’d be so grateful. Those are hormonol and my gyn is trying to help with that.
ReplyI continue to appreciate and learn from your brilliance.
Thank you
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the pictures on
this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem
on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
My personal website regarding modern technology:
back pain massage therapist (http://imageryer.com)
Dear Dr. JONATHAN, This is an extra ordinary effort from you. congratulations. this article will benefit for all other medical professionals.i learned lot of things. kind regards. triple gem bless you.
ReplyWhen typing at a computer, think about how you are sitting.
Irritable bowel syndrome sufferers can also experience symptoms of indigestion, passing excess wind,
nausea, and exhaustion. Although you cannot spread Shingles to others, you can spread chicken pox to people who have never had chicken pox before or who have not been vaccinated.
I’d like to receive more information via email on trigger point therapy. Thank you.
ReplyHi Barbara,
Just go to this page to join our free 6 day email course on treating triggers: https://lifeafterpain.com/info/optin/trigger-point-manual/
aagh my right shoulder and neck cant hardly turn head without pain in neck move my arms pain in neck and since I moved from Arizona to California my dear friend Stephanie is too far away to hit my trigger points and fix me , cant seem to find a soul that knows what to do without makin it worse. only thing left to do know is figure a way to do it myself . cant afford to do it any other way , got children to take care of interaction is hard and painful
please h
I have a question: yesterday my husband got a sudden shot of pain at his right temple. The pain continued into a right headachy kind of pain that lasted for several hours. He says it happens on occasion. Does this sound like a tension related pain?
Thank you for caring about our aching backs and necks, and all the hidden, dormant points in our feet, things, calves, and who knows where else.
ReplyHello Tal,
If a headache is caused by muscle tension, then finding the trigger point in the muscle responsible should ease the headache. You can look for the most likely culprits for head pain here: http://www.triggerpointmaps.com
ReplyHello Dr. I’ve been having neck pains ever since I was diagnosed with cervical spondylosia. I can also feel loads of knots in my trapezeus and clavicle area. I’m been going to massage parlour but it just gives me short term relief. Hope I can learn more from you about these trigeer points.. Thanks so much in advance.
ReplyI’m going to try this on my friend. I sure hope it works. He’s always got them, as do I. I can’t seem to get it to work on me.
ReplyI am a trainer and have been very interested in trigger point therapy. Would love to hear more! Thanks!
ReplyHi Dr Kuttner
Please can you help me as I've asked my Dr and also Physio about this but I still have this problem and pain…
Looking at my back and the muscle to right of my spine which spans from shoulder to where my bra strap ends across my back, the whole muscle aches constantly and feels tight. And an inch above my bra within the muscle is a cyst like lump which hurts when pressed.
Is there an exercise/stretch/massage for this area? Do you know what it is I have?
I am drug free now and have eliminated grains and dairy from my diet as was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 5 years ago.. Changing my Diet has had the biggest influence in eliminating pain 🙂
Thank you in advance.
I have been suffering from post concussion symptoms for 4 months now. I have constant pressure in my head and was told it was Intracranial pressure. It’s been very depressing keeping me from daily activities as I feel as if I am walking around with a bowling bowl on my head.
Someone recently said it may be injury in my neck that is causing the pressure in my head and I should
think about getting it looked at for neck spasms and also working with trigger points. I’d be very interested in your information
Thank You!
Hello,
My wife experiences severe myofascial pain from her lower back all the way to the top of her head. She is to the point where she has to rely on strong medication in order to get a few hours of sleep but develops a quick tolerance to whatever the doctor prescribes. Her symptoms have not gotten better in the last few months but spread to different parts of her body. Please provide me with any and all information relating to helping her deal with this pain.
Thank you
ReplyHi I would be really greatful to recive your help as I have been suffering with neck problems even after acupuncture Im still suffer with on going neck problems at night even though I take muscle relaxents I have extreme pressure at the back of my neck and stiffness and as I generally lay sideways I feel my neck will not stay in the same position for long which then wakes me up feeling rather nauseous with a headache, and laying on the back of my neck I feel a pressure which is extremely uncomfortable I would love to know how I could change this as sleeping is becoming increasingly hard
ReplyI’ve been in physiotherapy for six weeks for Sternocleidomastoid pain on both left and right. I injured my neck when I had my head down as I was brushing my teeth….crazy when I put my head up there was a crunching crackle sound in back of neck and instantly felt pain on both sides and my turning to left and right was extremly limited. Prior to this my range of motion was excellent being able to turn with nose lined up to shoulder. The therapy has been pretty intense. My range of motion turning left and right seemed to have improved only slightly. I have been experiencing ear discomfort and few times quick spark like pain behind both ears at same time. Which cause me to respond with a shudder ouch! Also I have blocked sinuses (stuffy nose) when lying down for sleep…and back of throat discomfort.
From what I have read there is a connection to this SCM muscle problem that causes these symptoms. I’m starting to believe that the PT has been working to vigorously in manipulating my head…pulling up and forcing head turn positions to encourage increase in range of motion.
I am doing home exercises with bands and some 5 pound weights and working consistently in trying to improve my poster. I understand my poor posture is what got me to the point of SCM pain. I have decided to quit Physiotherapy….I believe it is worsening my condition not helping. The PT’s approach is too aggressive.
I appreciate any information you can share with me….I am determined to get my range of motion back to where it was. Thank you
Left side, tight neck and tender points in neck combined with sore shoulder!
Any help would be appreciated.
ReplyI have been suffering from headachesfor about 5-6 years. They usually start in the morning and – usually wear off during the day. I put it down to my age ( I am 80 years old ) as pain . relievers( which I take for other problems do not seem to help
ReplyHello,
I have just read your article and it made a lot of sense and I would appreciate having you send me a free email information course on Trigger Points releases. Thank you
Ian Rigby
ReplyHi Marlene – opt in at http://www.triggerpointmaps.com for a free series on finding and treating trigger points.
ReplyHello, I have just returned from a massage that included an overly painful (to the point where I had to stop the massage). I went for a “sports massage” with a Thai influence as I’m in Thailand, and told them that I had some nerve pain in my neck, the back of my head and face due to some compression in my upper back.
The massage on the neck was FINE and seemed to release some key muscles that were in spasm there. I ordered a 1 hr massage, and she spent 25 minutes digging her fingers in to my scalp and shoving them around with such force that I asked her to stop at least THREE TIMES. She did NOT stop and I had to get up and ask for the manager. The therapist said she was doing something with trigger points and that my neck and scalp were extremely tight and she was trying to help.
My question is: is it supposed to be THAT painful and for such an extended amount of time? What is the technique that is used to release trigger points and should I have a headache and sore scalp? My feeling is that it should not be anywhere NEAR this painful. I am appalled at the lack of caring she showed towards my pain. A good therapist would ask how the pressure was and if there were certain trigger points, maybe warn you…not just dig around on your SCALP for so long. Thank you for any insight you can give on this to help me understand where she was coming from.
Hi Carol,
You’re quite right – it’s a common misconception that trigger point treatment has to hurt.
In reality – when you use ischemic pressure in the way we recommend, you can ‘sneak up’ on the trigger point and switch it off without causing huge amounts of pain.
Triggers in the top of the neck and shoulders (suboccipitals and upper trapezius) can cause headaches, so it’s well worth treating these (gently) for pain relief.
The important thing to remember is that trigger points are a protective mechanism – your muscles have gone into spasm in order to protect against a perceived threat. So inflicting a lot of pain while you release them is counter productive.
Here’s a link to a pain free method of trigger release: https://lifeafterpain.com/info/trigger-point/trigger-point-release-ischemic/
And our trigger point finder: http://triggerpointmaps.com/triggercharts/landing.html where you can find the suboccipital and trapezius triggers.
[…] are generally a section of an overworked muscle. Occasionally one feels pain when a knot is touched, it is normal that a patient will react to that […]
Reply[…] Life After Pain […]
ReplyHi Dr Jon
Thank you so much for sharing your valuable knowledge. It has really added to my knowledge in doing massages
Nen Sorensen
ReplyIt sure is helpful that you educated me about the body’s trigger points which are thickened bands of muscles that are tender to the touch. I’ve noticed that I have sore muscles in my back and on the lower part of my neck. That is why I am planning on going to a chiropractor to help relieve the pain and be able to locate other trigger points in my body. I hope that by doing this, I will be able to lessen the pain that I am experiencing.
ReplyThis could be the most awaited post. At times we unknowingly get into this problem. Sleeping in a bad position could be one reason and struggle for a couple of days to get normal. Thank you for sharing the post.
Reply[…] I also occasionally get terrible upper back pain. When I have it, I can never get comfortable and I can’t sleep for the pain. The back pain turned out to be caused by trigger points, and now when my upper back and shoulders are hurting, I can usually fix it by unlocking the trigger points in my levator scapulae or trapezius muscles. (Here’s Jonathan’s article Trigger Points for Neck Pain). […]
ReplyHow can I find a doctor who really understands trigger points. I am in central new jersery.
Thank you
Reply