In my last post I described a trigger point vacuum; this week I relate a trigger point supernova. Each year a group of manual trigger point therapists gather somewhere in the country to listen to the latest myofascial researchers, test out new techniques, refine old ones, and appreciate adjunct therapies that lead to the successful treatment of pain. The National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists was formed in 1984 and is dedicated to the teaching of the visionaries Janet Travell MD and David Simons MD, authors of the books ‘Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual’.

Meet the Travellies?
Anyone can belong to NAMTPT, but a Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist (CMTPT) is someone who has studied a program similar to the Manual Trigger Point Therapy (MTT) that is taught at 360 NMT. They then need to pass a nationally approved exam. Graduates have life-changing, long and rewarding careers. Membership of NAMTPT offers the benefits of continuing education, professionalism, collaboration, respect and a strong consumer presence via social media. Each year at conference we meet old friends and make new. We spread information, learn and refine manual techniques, work on each other, and rally enthusiasm in order to spread the word. Albuquerque marked the 28th annual conference!

Albuquerque – don’t spill the coffee
Seven times conference organizer, Mary Biancalana of Chicago, created an agenda that balanced theoretical science and practical demonstrations with just the right amount of leisure time to explore the environs of Albuquerque. Some presentations were trigger point focused; others explored adjunct subjects. Vicky McGowan’s topic was pelvic distortion, Dr Ryan Shepherd demonstrated Fu’s Subcutaneous Needling technique (FSN), and Mary B. explained the ‘fascia’ in a myofascial trigger point. Amber Davies’ demonstrated self-help techniques from the new 3rd edition of ‘The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook’. A half-day had attendees experiencing seven ways to lose their trigger points by seven different practitioners. The adjuncts included Sunil Pai MD describing the effects of inflammatory foods on the body, Yoga as therapy by Maureen Sutton, and functional movement by Julie Zuleger PhD. An evening segment demonstrating` the importance of ‘Laughter’ by Jim Masica really got the fun started. Members like to have fun. Just a bit.

The Shahs come out in Chicago
Start saving your pennies for Chicago, September 24th – 28th, 2014. Actually, it’s not so pricey. Mary has kept the price at $350 for ages. Surround yourself with decent, dedicated, genuinely nice and ego-free therapists. Dr Jay Shah, of the NIH research team, will be the keynote and he is also decent, genuine and ego-free. His research shows the sampling of the trigger point ‘biochemical milieu’ with a hollowed out acupuncture needle. It will be my 5th time seeing him speak since 2007. Yes, I’m a shameless Jay Shah groupie.