Question
Hi Lawrence i have had chronic trigger point pain and stiffness in the whole of my back particularly between my shoulder blades for a few years now. I have tried many things including physio,chiropractor,osteopathy,accupuncture,bowen technique to name a few. I have been doing self trigger point therapy but dont seem to be getting any results( im very familiar with the work of travell and simons). I think my problem is due to stress and overuse. I recently came across somatic excercises and was thinking of giving it a try. Can it work in getting rid of trigger points? I noticed on one website where you wrote that it can help dissolve trigger points. Can somatic exercises deactivate trigger point alone or would i have to use it alongside trigger point therapy. Also i have heard people say somatic exercises is the same thing a Active release Technique(ART) is it the same thing?


Many thanks

Richard

Answer

Hanna Somatic Educatio   Hi, Richard,

Trigger points disappear when you free muscles from habitual contraction patterns -- meaning re-condition your control of the muscles.  Somatic exercises are sufficient.  (However, it is necessary to do the relevant somatic exercise that reaches precisely into the affected area.)

I don't know about ART, so I can't comment.

Please see these articles on somatics:
http://somatics.com/pdf/What_Really_Happens_in_a_Somatics_Session.pdf
http://somatics.com/hannart.htm

Then, you can answer your question for yourself.

Sessions with a practitioner get results sooner than somatic exercises, alone; you may need a few sessions.  A certain somatic exercise program can substitute for sessions with a practitioner, but takes longer than clinical sessions.