Recently went to see a trigger point specialist and liked it a lot. Wondering if anyone else has any experience or opinions on its legitimacy.

I think my deep tissue massage woman did some of this trigger point stuff on my IT band and lower back and if i remember it helped alot.

Must get back to having the occasional deep tissue massage. Find it very helpful for staying injury free lower body and keeping my IT band from getting too tight.

[www.natuhealth.co.uk]

Having been a massage therapist for 12 years I would ask what you mean by "trigger point therapy". There are several techniques that involve manipulating specific 'points" which are commonly referred to as trigger point therapy. And add to that the fact that almost every practicioner has a slightly different approach to their session. I used to work for a neurologist who specialized in trigger point injections, but had limited success because she only dealt with specific points. Neuromuscular therapy is a bodywork that prides itself on trigger point release, but in practice is often too extreme for clients. However, a simple swedish type massage with nice flowing strokes can also release trigger points and feel quite different than NMT.

My feeling is, having a whole session just to focus on trigger points is not nearly as beneficial as integrating other types of work needed such as myofascial work, breathing techniques, and some of the "softer" massage techniques get better results. But it depends on the person, the immediate situation and the goals. Add the whole psycho-emotional barriers often encountered and trigger point therapy can leave one feeling violated rather than helped much. Depends on the therapist and the specific techniques used at which time. I've gooten unbelievable results with some and not so great with others. And I am learning all the time. Would love to hear other therapist's results.

I'm talking about pressing trigger points to relieve myofascial pain or whatever. I didn't feel violated at all. The therapist talked to me for a while about what was going on. He then put me on a massage table and had me move this way then that way before he gently touched/pressed a few spots on my bod. It was very relaxing and helpful, and I'm quite the skeptic. I'm pm'ing you his web-site.

I have a trigger point foam roller and it relieves back pain in about 5 minutes...