Brief Annotated Bibliography

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The books and articles by Janet Travell and David Simons have changed my life.

Janet Travell, President Kennedy's White House physician, mapped the trigger points for us.  David Simons, her partner, mapped them and documented them.  Together they wrote the definitive texts on myofascial trigger points and founded the field of myofascial medicine.

These texts hold the key to understanding many myofascial trigger point symptoms.  Doctors who obtain them, study them and use them will find that many of their "problem" chronic pain patients will be problems no longer.

These two books are the most important medical texts for the understanding of myofascial trigger points.

Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual-The Upper Body, Vol I, ed. 2, by David G. Simons, MD, Janet G. Travell, MD, and Lois S. Simons

Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual
Vol II-The Lower Body, by Janet G. Travell MD, and David G. Simons, MD, Williams and Wilkins, 1983, Vol. II, 1998

Trigger Point of Pain: Wall Charts, by Travell and Simons

These wall charts are excellent quick references to many common myofascial trigger points and their referral patterns.  They are easy to see and also can provide a visual aid to teach your patients about referred pain.  Patients often recognize their pain patterns from the charts, allowing you to pinpoint the triggers quickly, and are a good supplement to the Trigger Point Manuals. 

Range-of-Motion Charts

Myofascial trigger points (TrPs) cause muscle dysfunction and loss of range of motion (ROM) even before they cause pain.  Overlapping TrP pain patterns can cause confusion for care providers and patients.  Specific ROM tests can help you distinguish between different TrPs.  Visit Round Earth Publishing and check out this valuable resource.

Making the Most of It Seminar 

CDs are now available from the March 22, 2003, Cincinnati, Ohio, seminar.  Medical and legal experts explain what you need to know about fibromyalgia and myofascial pain.

Trigger Points: Understanding Myofascial Pain and Discomfort, by Sally A. Cummings

This set of flip charts shows the location of many common myofascial trigger points.  Some referral patterns are shown, and also some exercises for the relief of the TrPs are shown and explained.  This can be a useful training aid. 

The A-Z Guide to Drug-Herb and Vitamin Interactions, by Schuyler W. Lininger, DC, Steve Austin, ND, Forrest Batz, Alan Gaby, MD, and Don Brown

Prescription medications, drugs and herbs can often interact.  One can block another or potentiate it.  This informative guide can help you sort them out and help prevent problems.

Low-Speed Automobile Accidents: Investigation and
Documentation, by Peter H. Rast and Robert E. Sterns

Due to common misunderstandings, people are often injured in low-speed automobile accidents and fail to receive the justice and the help they need and deserve.  This book documents that low speed accidents often impact more on the occupants than on the vehicle.

Herbal Medicinals: A Clinician's Guide, Lucinda G. Miller (ed) and Wallace J. Murray (ed)  

Many patients are taking herbal medicines, and it is vital that you know about what they are taking.  Some of these herbals can be powerful, and some can have effects that are unsuspected by the patient.  This reference can help you find out what you need to know.

Cytokines and Pain (Progress in Inflammation Research), L. R. Watkins (ed) and S.F. Maier (ed)  

Although neither fibromyalgia nor myofascial pain are inflammatory conditions per se, this research in pro-inflammatory cytokines and the immune system to brain communications pathway led to the understanding of the central sensitization state of fibromyalgia and may hold the clues to the eventual use of anti-inflammatory cytokines to treat the chronic pain state.

Insulin Resistance, by Andrew J. Krentz

This is a handy summary of current knowledge and management techniques concerning insulin resistance and some co-existing conditions (from the United Kingdom).

Insulin Resistance: the Metabolic Syndrome X, Gerald N. Reaven (ed), Ami Lewis (ed)

This in-depth book shows how the affect of insulin resistance goes far beyond diabetes.  This book basically covers current research on “the causes, main events and results” of this epidemic condition.

Synaptic Self: How Our Brains Become Who We Are, by Joseph LeDoux

This book is an explanation of recent research concerning how the brain thinks and how it creates, in part, our individuality.  Although the author does not mention fibromyalgia, he does explain central nervous system plasticity that makes fibromyalgia and the central sensitization that is part of it possible.  The ramifications of Hebbian plasticity, malconnection syndromes and long-term potentiation (LTP) are discussed in comprehensible language.  Learning why NMDA receptors allow LTP give the reader insight as to possible modifiers of some kind of chronic pain.  Learn why "alterations in synaptic connectivity in neural circuits, rather than just levels of neurotransmitters or receptors, are important." 

Anatomy Trains: Myofascial Meridians for Manual and
Movement Therapists, by Thomas W. Myers

This is everything you ever wanted to know about myofascia, including explanations on the microscopic level, with fascinating and detailed drawings.  Superb for care providers and for medically educated patients.

Clinical Overview and Pathogenesis of the Fibromyalgia
Syndrome, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, and Other Pain
Syndromes, I. Jon Russell, MD, PhD (ed) 1996

This book includes articles not only by the great FMS researcher (and editor) I. Jon Russell on the neurochemical pathogenesis of FMS, but important papers such as the update on myofascial TrPs by David Simons, the "father of MPS", and an article on HPA-axis disruption in FMS.

Myopain '95: Abstracts from the 3rd World Congress on
Myofascial Pain and Fibromyalgia, San Antonio Texas, USA, July 30-August 3.  I Jon Russell, MD, PhD (ed) 1995

This is a compilation of abstracts presented at the 3rd World Conference on myofascial pain and fibromyalgia.

Biochemical Messengers: Hormones, Neurotransmitters and
Growth Factors, by D. G. Hardie, 1991

This is an easy to understand guide to neurotransmitters, and you need to understand neurotransmitters to understand fibromyalgia.  It provides good background.

Neurotransmitter Release and Its Modulation: Biochemical
Mechanisms, Physiological Function, and Clinical Relevance, Nancy Klimas, MD, and Roberto Patarca, MD, PhD. 1996. Powis, David A. and Stephen J. Bunn (editors)

This is a detailed and extensive compilation of articles on neurotransmitters and their relevance to medical care.  When you read this, remember that FMS is a neuroendocrine disorder with neurotransmitter dysfunction.  This book will give you important clues to your FMS patients' symptoms, as well as information on therapies.

Clinical Management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome : Clinical
Conference, American Association of Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome, Nancy Klimas, MD, and Roberto Patarca, MD, PhD. 1996

This is one of the most comprehensive books on chronic fatigue syndrome, with sections on neurocognitive testing, treatment options, symptom management, and a special section on fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and Gulf War patients.

Myofascial Pain and Fibromyalgia (Advances in Pain Research
and Therapy, Vol. 17), James R. Fricton and Essam A. Awad (editors) 1990

This book is written by two experts in the field of myofascial pain.  The sections on TMJ dysfunction are particularly detailed and helpful.

From Fatigued to Fantastic, by Jacob Teitelbaum, 2001

I have talked with Jacob Teitelbaum, another physician with fibromyalgia, and was impressed with the comprehensive nature of his approach.

He looks at metabolic factors and tests for a variety of infections.  Included are handy questionnaires and valuable protocols for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and yeast.

Pain and Its Relief Without Addiction: Clinical Issues in the Use
of Opioids and Other Analgesics, by Barry Stimmel, 1997

If you are concerned about adequate pain control for your patients, the background you need for chronic pain management and guidelines for adequate pain control are here.  This field has changed radically in the light of new research.  Get up to date.

A Primer of Drug Action: A Concise, Nontechnical Guide to the
Actions, Uses and Side Effects of Psychoactive Drugs, by Robert M. Julien

Many physicians have reported this to be helpful in grasping the "big picture", which includes nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, steroids and neurotransmitter modulation.

Progress in Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain (Pain Research and Clinical Management, Vol 6). H. Vaeroy, MD, and H. Merskey (editors) 1993

Musculoskeletal Pain, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, and the
Fibromyalgia Syndrome, by Soren Jacobsen, MD, Bente Danneskiold-Samsoe, MD, PhD, and Birger Lund, MD, PhD

Myofascial Pain and Fibromyalgia: Trigger Point Management, by Edward S. Rachlin, MD. 1994

Acupuncture, Trigger Points and Musculoskeletal Pain, Second Edition, by P.E. Baldry, 1993

This is a marvelous book for physical therapists, acupuncturists and doctors of all types wishing to broaden their knowledge, written by someone with a good background in myofascial trigger points.  This book is too technical for many patients.

Principles of Manual Medicine, Second Edition, by Philip E. Greenman, 1996

This book is important for any doctor or physical therapist involved with the practice of manual medicine.  This book is too technical for many patients.

Muscle Pain: Understanding its Nature, Diagnosis and
Treatment, Seigfreid Mense, David G. Simons, and I. Jon Russell. 2001.  Lippincott Williams and Wilkins

Epidemiology of Pain: For the IASP Task Force on Epidemiology, Iain K. Crombie, Peter R. Croft, Steven J. Linton, Linda LaResche and Michael Von Korff [Editors]  International Association for the Study of Pain, IASP Press. 1999