Deconstructing/debunking the idea of "trigger points" & myofascial pain

Wow. I hadn't read this posting in a while, but it is essential reading for anyone who attempts to assess and treat/influence pain states that are felt in different areas of our & our patients bodies. A better understanding of the biology of why certain places in our body hurt when they are pressed on is essential to the effective treatment of these pains. Great posting Diane Jacobs!

An exerpt:

"no tissue other than neural tissue (i.e., neurons, direct ectodermal derivatives) can directly signal the brain (also direct ectodermal derivative) to provoke it into mounting a pain output/perception for our conscious awareness to,.. um, be aware of, consider. In other words, quite apart from the "trigger point" issue, is there really any such thing as "myofascial pain"? I would argue that no, there isn't. Only neural tissue can send sensory-discriminative information to the brain, and only the brain can mount that sort of cognitive-evaluative-motivational-affective-sensory-discriminative display known as "pain". Other kinds of tissue in the body are usually innocent victims, not guilty culprits."

Here's the posting link:

http://humanantigravitysuit.blogspot.ca/2011/07/why-i-dont-buy-idea-that-trigger-points.html

Remember to read the links from within this article.  Also great learning/reading.

Upcoming Webinar "Chronic Pain: Is it all in the Brain?"

The Canadian Institute for the Relief of Pain and Disability (CIRPD) is presenting a series of Webinars over the next 3 months.
On April 16, 2013, 1:00pm PST there will be a webinar entitled "Chronic Pain: Is it all in the Brain?" led by Dr. Fernando Cervero

Overview:
What changes happen to the brain when a person transitions from acute to chronic pain? Dr. Cervero will discuss these changes and help us understand that effective therapies must deal with both the cause of the pain and the change in pain perception that happens too.

Dr. Fernando Cervero will join us to explain these changes in pain perception and identify the brain mechanisms that cause them.

This webinar will help you:
To understand that the transition from acute to chronic pain involves the generation of increased excitability of the brain centres involved in pain perception.
To identify which brain mechanisms generate pain hypersensitivity and how these mechanisms cause chronic pain.
To understand how effective therapies for chronic pain must deal not only with the causes of pain (injury, inflammation etc) but also with the enhanced sensitivity of the brain to pain perception.

To register, see this link.

http://www.cirpd.org/GetInvolved/Webinars/Pages/ChronicPainIsitAllintheBrain.aspx

Sounds like a good one.  Will probably try to gather a group of people together at GF Strong to view it together.

Botox and the Brain

No big surprise, but interesting to read this research, from Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA)
http://neura.edu.au/news-events/news/don-t-let-botox-go-your-head-or-should-we

Botox reduces spasticity locally, at the site of injection, but also altered brain activity in the cortex – the brain region responsible for movement, memory, learning and thinking.

Read the full posting, and also the abstract from the Muscle and Nerve journal.