Positive Health Online

Pain Relief with Trigger Point Self-Help is a book that defines 'Trigger points' with excellent demonstrations and explanations. This book teaches readers where to search for trigger points, how to treat them by applying pressure and doing stretches, and how to prevent trigger points from forming by making simple lifestyle changes, practising proper body mechanics, and addressing nutritional deficiencies and other pertinent medical issues. Although pain relief with trigger point self help is written for anyone who wants to successfully treat their own pain, it is also an invaluable reference for health care practitioners whose patients suffer from either chronic or acute pain.

The Author is Valerie DeLaune LAc, a licensed Acupuncturist and certified Neuromuscular Therapist; she holds a master's degree in acupuncture from Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Washington and professional certificates from the Heartwood Institute and the Brenneke School of Massage. At present she resides in Alaska, but she holds various seminars in trigger application nationally. She is also the author of other books and articles relating to trigger points, lifestyle and acupuncture.

The book is well outlined, covering a massive, easy-to-follow 72 chapters. All the chapter sections are colour coded with pastel colours that are easy on the eyes. Although the sections are colour coded, sub-headings would be helpful as it is difficult to search for a specific area without searching through the whole contents. I found the introduction, information of the trigger points, perpetuating factors helpful. I was impressed with the chapter on nutrition and its benefits: which foods can help with conditions and which can hinder. It was very useful to read solutions suggested for illness including alternative medicine and tests which can be performed at home. It is often not possible to get clear information like this from the internet and even from some practitioners in the field.

I like the fact that this book is colour coordinated and makes all the information stand out, especially the referencing with the coloured index and page numbers. The way the colouring is used in the text helps the mind to process the information much better, thus making it very helpful for those suffering with any learning difficulties or hard to focus with black on white text. The pictures are very clear and easily referenced without too much detail and complication.

The book also includes hundreds of large colourful photographs with overlays of common pain referral patterns so that the user can match their pain patterns with the photos and figure out which muscles are involved. From the diagrams a novice user can simply identify the 'trigger points' that can cause symptoms that you wouldn't normally associate with muscle problems, such as blurred vision and joint pain.

However I have found a slight problem. My main issue, which I think is very important, is that the reader is told to hold a stretch for 8-60 seconds. A more specific time range would be more beneficial for different conditions and age groups. Also, when explaining how to do the stretches in a couple of pages it can get confusing for some, trying to follow the written instructions when relating them to the pictures. I would have liked to have seen suggestions for areas in one section. For example, for a bad neck sufferer there seem to be more than one exercise which can be done to help. However, this is spread over a few sections. It would be helpful if they were all together in one clear section.

Another issue which slightly concerned me was the use of the 'Backnobber' (a hand held portable massage device). This device can be an expensive item to purchase. I feel other aids such as an old fashioned umbrella handle or a walking stick could provide the same results at a more cost effective level, the same way. On the other hand the author shows a very good example of this by using simple aids like chairs, pencils and tennis balls to achieve the required stretches and stimulate some of the trigger points.

The book will serve as a good reference to any trigger point therapy practitioner as well as physical therapists and general bodywork therapists who want to utilize the use of these points within their own practices of Reflexology, Shiatsu, Tuina, Acupressure and many other bodywork therapies. It is also a very good aid to any students wishing to embark on any biomechanical courses. Most importantly, I believe that this book will be very useful for anyone that successfully wants to treat their own pain and manage most of the physical symptoms without the use of Medicinal drugs or pain killers.

These days, in most books it is not very often to see the author featuring and participating actively in their published work. It is very good to see the author performing all the stretches in a clear and helpful photographic sequence, using some simple aids that most can find. This shows that the author practises what she preaches, which will install reassurance and confidence into the reader. This will also make it appealing for most age groups especially the ones in advanced years, that can see the majority of the techniques are easy to follow and applied.

I found that overall, this book to be very informative, clear to read, with good self-help suggestions and large, bold pictures and diagrams to look at. The information provided will make excellent knowledge for anyone that wants to understand and achieve pain relief. I will also recommend this book to any practitioner to use as a guide to give their patients some self directed exercises and self trigger point pain relief.

Further Information
Available from Lotus Publishing www.lotuspublishing.co.uk and from Amazon
www.amazon.co.uk/Pain-Relief-Trigger-Point-Self-Help/dp/1905367252