Pain Relief With Trigger Point Self-Help.

Pain Relief With Trigger Point Self-Help DeLaune V. Juneau, AK 99801, Macromedia Inc, 2004, CD-ROM, ISBN: 0-9761246-0-2, $65. [System requirements: Intel Pentium Processor with Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, or XP or Power PC G3 or faster with Mac OS 9 or later, 256 MB of RAM, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 or Netscape Navigator 7, Macromedia Flash Player 7 (included), QuickTime Player 6 (included), and Adobe Acrobat Reader 6 (included).]

The purpose of this CD-ROM is to discuss the self-management and self-treatment of trigger points for pain relief. Detailed information is provided on trigger points, the different therapies available for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain (eg, acupuncture, physical therapy), and perpetuating factors. Several additional sections cover the general guidelines for self-help techniques (eg, pressure release with tennis or golf balls, stretching, and elimination of perpetuating factors) as well as a blank body chart to identify specific trigger points and an extensive list of muscles.

Each muscle "page" has 2 columns. The right side has pictures of the location of the trigger point in the muscle, the referred pattern of pain, and the anatomy of the muscle. The left column provides a written description of the muscle, common symptoms associated with a trigger point in the muscle, causes and perpetuating factors for developing a trigger point, helpful hints, self-help techniques that include trigger-point releases and stretching exercises, and, lastly, a list of additional muscles that may need to be examined. The self-help section includes video clips of many of the techniques.

In order to register the software, Mac users with a Safari browser will need to switch to Internet Explorer. The software is easy to install and relatively easy to navigate and use. For this review, it was installed on a Gateway Tablet PC with Microsoft Windows XP, Intel Pentium M processor with 504 MB of RAM and a DVD/CD-RW drive. The program opened with the registration page. After registering, users are taken to the homepage; nothing needs to be installed or downloaded, unless the user does not have Macromedia Flash Player 7, QuickTime Player 6, or Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.

The program predominantly uses menus. Users have several ways to access the information with these menus or with the help feature. The main problem with this program is that there is too much information. The user needs to go through long lists of muscles to find the one that matches a specific pain problem. The written information given, including "how to use this CD," also is very extensive, and when printed the small font makes reading difficult. It should be noted, however, that the video clips are well done and are very helpful in demonstrating the techniques.

Although there is no evidence presented to support the effectiveness of these treatments, this CD-ROM would be helpful for individuals with musculoskeletal pain from myofascial trigger points who would like to manage their symptoms on their own.

Karen Holtgrefe, PT, OCS 

College of Mount St Joseph

Cincinnati, Ohio

Mrs Holtgrefe has a wide range of interests including orthopedics, cardiopulmonary, chronic pain, wounds, lymphedema, and acute care.