As founder of THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MYOFASCIAL TRIGGER POINT THERAPY, I have been involved with the field of myofascial/muscle trigger point pain and dysfunction since 1981. My practice, The Myofascial Pain Treatment Center, is located in Springfield, VA, about 14 miles south of Washington, D.C.
I have been the Director for over 3 decades at the clinic and also conducted The Shaw Myotherapy Institute for 5 years, a 9-month, full time training program based on the work and treatment protocol of Dr. Janet G. Travell, Whitehouse physician to President John F. Kennedy. I had the unique privilege of being invited by Dr. Travell to study directly under her tutelage. I had that honor for some 13 years: studying, traveling, teaching, writing, and participating in conferences and workshops throughout the country with her. During that time, I received the Janet G. Travell, M.D. Myofascial Soft Tissue Award, presented by the American Academy of Pain Management.
Having been in practice for 36 years, I have seen many accident and injury patients, but the vast majority of my patients are people who are experiencing pain/chronic pain resulting just from normal, daily use. Muscles get tight, we accommodate them, using them in different ways so we can be comfortable. Oh, Oh, do that and the muscles actually "learn" to function in a short position, trigger points develop, resulting in pain. Identify the short muscles, change what caused the shortness, practice new muscle habits, and you can be pain free. I promise!
I have taught throughout the United States (with The Dogwood Institute), at INOVA, a local university, and since the early 2000s have annually taught at a rehabilitation facility in Moss, Norway. A year was spent in Perth, Australia, helping to establish a trigger point medical clinic and training program.
Having previously been encouraged to write by Dr. Travell, and following a serious biking accident, I wrote and published the definitive book on perpetuating factors: factors of accommodation that we make to deal with tight, painful muscles as a way to be as comfortable as possible. "SIMPLE CHANGES TO END CHRONIC PAIN", a must read book for those in chronic pain, and for those who treat this epidemic condition. This book has already helped thousands of pain patients as they read and apply the information presented. Presented in an easy to understand, practical, pictoral format that identifies muscles issues, shows simple changes to make and stretches to establish healthy muscle memories that allow pain-free movement.
