Clair Davies (1937–2006)

Clair Davies' book offers pain relief through self-massage of often highly unexpected places, like relieving spinal back pain through massaging a spot on the belly between navel and hip. Diagrams of referred pain make it straightforward to find the most relevant sections to you, and the introductions include strong discussions of both why and how to perform trigger point massage. It clearly distinguishes when to start at home and when to see a doctor with heuristics that make sense, like time limits and checklists to distinguish muscular vs. organ-based pain (organ-based is impossible to treat at home and dangerous to wait on). It calls out common false diagnoses by doctors for particular referred pain patterns from tight muscles. It includes direct, sensible, and useful safety & access instructions for the points it recommends. It's an owner's manual for your body.

This book is a revelation. It works. Literally everyone should have access to a copy. I can't rave enough at how profound this book is. It is head and shoulders above everything else in the self-treatment space.… (mehr)

I heard of this book many years ago, but somehow never got around to reading it until now. That was a mistake. This is a fantastic guide to relieving the aches and pains that are the common lot of all humanity. The author recommends using a different style of treatment than the traditional "press and hold" that I learned years ago -- using deep, short strokes instead. I've been trying this and I do think it may be an improvement. If so, then the book is worth it just for that. That's not including the extensive illustrations covering the entire body, demonstrating the most likely trigger points and offering tips on treating them.

Recommended to anyone with a body that has any aches and pains, ever.… (mehr)

well researched, detailed, very very useful

-use deep stroking massage to press stretch pref. w/a tool (p. 38)
-also look to your diet, posture, ergonomics, meds, alergies, thyroid & stress

-Trap. 3 - 57 -59

masseter p. 67

-dysfunctional eustachan tube -> ear closed: masseter & medical pterygoid p. 68-69
... ugh, tired...

TMJ culprit usually: lateral pterygoid

Always start w/ scalenes for shoulder pain (p.78) also p.80

Tight pectorals& pectoral trigger points hinder posture p.85

supraspinatus : p.91, p.92

(left arm) subscapularis (p.94 (yes) : p.95 & p.96

(left arm) coracobrachialis, definately, w/others : p.100

Rounded shoulders pectoralis major (military posture BAD!?!) - p.135, & p.136
(note: did tell me pecs were too short & strong, weak back blades)

(already found & yes) : pectoralis minor, p.140-141

serratus anterior :p.143

sciatica: gluteus minimus p.162

stiff hips: tensor fasciae latae -p.190 ( sleep stretched out)

collapsing/ painful knees: vastus medialus p.199

hamstrings causing headaches! Wow (p.213)
… (mehr)

well researched, detailed, very very useful

-use deep stroking massage to press stretch pref. w/a tool (p. 38)
-also look to your diet, posture, ergonomics, meds, alergies, thyroid & stress

-Trap. 3 - 57 -59

masseter p. 67

-dysfunctional eustachan tube -> ear closed: masseter & medical pterygoid p. 68-69
... ugh, tired...

TMJ culprit usually: lateral pterygoid

Always start w/ scalenes for shoulder pain (p.78) also p.80

Tight pectorals& pectoral trigger points hinder posture p.85

supraspinatus : p.91, p.92

(left arm) subscapularis (p.94 (yes) : p.95 & p.96

(left arm) coracobrachialis, definately, w/others : p.100

Rounded shoulders pectoralis major (military posture BAD!?!) - p.135, & p.136
(note: did tell me pecs were too short & strong, weak back blades)

(already found & yes) : pectoralis minor, p.140-141

serratus anterior :p.143

sciatica: gluteus minimus p.162

stiff hips: tensor fasciae latae -p.190 ( sleep stretched out)

collapsing/ painful knees: vastus medialus p.199

hamstrings causing headaches! Wow (p.213)
… (mehr)