Edited by Dominik Irnich, MD, this clearly written and fully illustrated multi-contributor volume offers practical, comprehensive coverage of the subject area ranging from the latest scientific research findings to practical usage of current manual therapy techniques. Including the latest information from centres of excellence throughout the world, this new book is suitable for osteopathic physicians, osteopaths, chiropractors, manual therapists, physiotherapists, acupuncturists and massage therapists as well as general physicians working in primary care, physical medicine, rehabilitation, pain management and internal medicine.

Section 1 The background -- 1 Guide to the book -- 2 Terminology -- 3 Epidemiology -- 3.1 Etiology of disease -- 3.2 Epidemiology -- 4 Etiology of myofascial pain syndrome -- 4.1 Causative factors -- 4.2 Perpetuating factors of myofascial pain -- 4.3 Chronification of myofascial pain -- 5 The anatomy and physiology of the muscles -- 5.1 Macroscopic construction -- 5.2 Function -- 5.3 Neurophysiology -- 6 Pathophysiology -- 6.1 Historical development -- 6.2 Underlying theories of pathophysiology -- 6.3 Specific pathophysiology -- 6.4 The extended integrated hypothesis -- 7 The trigger point as expression of a functional disorder of the locomotor system -- 7.1 The function of the locomotor system in association with memory -- 7.2 Pathophysiological role of mTrP -- 8 Trigger points and myofascial pain - acupuncture points and meridian system -- 8.1 Trigger points and acupuncture points -- 8.2 Referred pain and meridians -- 8.3 Other study results -- 8.4 Pain and somatovisceral correspondence of trigger and acupuncture points -- 8.5 Summary -- 9 Myofascial trigger points and fascia -- 9.1 Anatomy - definitions -- 9.2 Biomechanical function -- 9.3 Muscle hardening (taut bands) -- 9.4 Fascia as sensory organ -- 9.5 Association with trigger points - therapeutic considerations -- 10 Fibromyalgia syndrome -- 11 Myofascial trigger points and somatoform pain -- 11.1 Introduction and clinical information -- 11.2 Epidemiology -- 11.3 Etiology and pathogenesis -- 11.4 Differential diagnosis -- 11.5 Therapy -- 11.6 Health service assessment -- 12 Integrated holistic consideration of the muscles -- 12.1 Introduction -- 12.2 Function and purpose of the muscles -- 12.3 Approach via acupuncture -- 13 Diagnosis of myofascial pain -- 13.1 Principles -- 13.2 Questioning -- 13.3 Physical examination -- 13.4 Specific diagnosis of myofascial trigger points -- 13.5 Technical test procedures -- 13.6 Creating a comprehensive diagnosis with instructions for treatment -- 14 Differential diagnosis -- 14.1 Differential diagnosis according to affected structure and cause -- 14.2 Differential diagnosis depending on distribution pattern -- Section 2 Treatment of myofascial pain -- 15 Principles of treatment -- 15.1 Doctor-patient relationship -- 15.2 Practical hints -- 15.3 Legal aspects -- 15.4 Documentation of progress -- 16 Peculiarities of doctor-patient relationship with chronic pain -- 17 Selection of suitable treatments -- 17.1 Standard treatments -- 17.2 Other (traditional) treatments -- 18 Manual therapies and physiotherapeutic procedures -- 18.1 Dejung manual trigger point therapy -- 18.2 Lewit treatment techniques -- 18.3 Spray and stretch, cool and extend -- 18.4 Fascia techniques for the treatment of mTrP -- 19 Treatment concept - myofascial trigger point therapy -- 19.1 Manual techniques and dry needling -- 19.2 Extension, relaxation/stretching, detensioning -- 19.3 Functional training, ergonomics -- 20 Physical procedures -- 20.1 Ultrasound therapy -- 20.2 Hot and cold treatments -- 20.3 Electrotherapy -- 20.4 Cupping -- 20.5 Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation -- 20.6 Laser therapy -- 20.7 Shock wave therapy -- 21 Trigger point infiltration -- 21.1 Indications and contraindications -- 21.2 Injectants -- 21.3 Technique -- 22 Acupuncture and related procedures -- 22.1 Dry needling (trigger point acupuncture) -- 22.2 Classical acupuncture -- 22.3 Kiiko Matsumoto acupuncture -- 22.4 Microsystem acupunture -- 22.5 Electrostimulation acupuncture -- 22.6 Laser acupuncture -- 22.7 Preusser gelopuncture -- 22.8 Tuina -- 23 Complementary and alternative therapy methods and naturopathic treatments -- 23.1 Definitions -- 23.2 Basic principles -- 23.3 Treatment procedures -- 23.4 Integration of complementary and alternative methods in multimodal pain programme -- 24 Relaxation techniques - body and mind -- 24.1 Preliminary remarks -- 24.2 Western relaxation techniques -- 24.3 Eastern relaxation techniques -- 25 Systemic pharmacotherapy -- 25.1 Introduction -- 25.2 Substance groups -- 25.3 Treatment strategy -- Section 3 Muscles and trigger points -- 26 Head -- 26.1 M. masseter -- 26.2 M. temporalis -- 26.3 M. pterygoideus medialis -- 26.4 M. pterygoideus lateralis -- 26.5 M. digastricus -- 26.6 M. stylohyoideus -- 26.7 M. mylohyoideus -- 26.8 M. geniohyoideus -- 27 Throat, neck and shoulder region -- 27.1 M. splenius capitis -- 27.2 M. splenius cervicis -- 27.3 Muscles of the cervical M. erector trunci -- 27.4 Suboccipital muscles -- 27.5 M. sternocleidomastoideus -- 27.6 Mm. scaleni -- 27.7 M. trapezius -- 27.8 M. levator scapulae -- 28 Shoulder and upper arm -- 28.1 M. deltoideus -- 28.2 M. supraspinatus -- 28.3 M. infraspinatus -- 28.4 M. teres minor -- 28.5 M. latissimus dorsi -- 28.6 M. teres major -- 28.7 M. subscapularis -- 28.8 Mm. rhomboidei major and minor -- 28.9 M. coracobrachialis -- 28.10 M. biceps brachii -- 28.11 M. brachialis -- 28.12 M. triceps brachii (with M. anconaeus) -- 29 Elbow, forearm and hand -- 29.1 Hand extensors -- 29.2 M. brachioradialis -- 29.3 Finger extensors -- 29.4 M. supinator -- 29.5 M. palmaris longus -- 29.6 Hand and finger flexors in the forearm -- 29.7 M. adductor et opponens pollicis -- 30 Thoracic spine and thorax -- 30.1 Thoracic autochtonous back extensors -- 30.2 M. pectoralis major -- 30.3 M. pectoralis minor -- 30.4 M. sternalis -- 30.5 M. serratus posterior superior -- 30.6 M. serratus anterior -- 30.7 M. serratus posterior inferior -- 31 Abdomen -- 31.1 M. rectus abdominis -- 31.2 M. obliquus abdominis (externus et internus) -- 31.3 M. pyramidalis -- 32 Lumbar spine, pelvis and hip region (pelvic girdle) -- 32.1 Lumbar autochthonous back muscles -- 32.2 M. quadratus lumborum -- 32.3 M. iliopsoas major -- 32.4 Pelvic floor muscles -- 32.5 M. gluteus maximus -- 32.6 M. gluteus medius -- 32.7 M. gluteus minimus -- 32.8 M. piriformis -- 33 Hip, thigh and knee -- 33.1 M. tensor fasciae latae -- 33.2 Adductors of the hip joint. -- 33.3 M. quadriceps femoris -- 33.4 Ischiocrural muscles -- 33.5 M. popliteus -- 34 Lower leg and foot -- 34.1 M. tibialis anterior -- 34.2 Mm. peronei (fibulares) longus et brevis -- 34.3 M. gastrocnemius -- 34.4 M. soleus -- 34.5 M. tibialis posterior -- 34.6 M. extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus -- 34.7 M. flexor digitorum longus and flexor hallucis longus.