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J G Travell

Publications and source records attributed to J G Travell.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Myofascial origins of low back pain. 1. Principles of diagnosis and treatment.

Myofascial trigger points (TPs) are frequently overlooked sources of acute and chronic low back pain. An active myofascial TP is suspected by its focal tenderness to palpation and by restricted stretch range of motion. The restricted lengthening of the muscle is due to the tense band of muscle fibers in which the TP is located. The presence of a TP is confirmed by a local twitch response and by reproduction of its known pattern of referred pain, which matches the distribution of the patient's pain. Only an active TP causes a clinical pain complaint; a latent TP does not. The pain can be relieved by the stretch-and-spray procedure, ischemic compression, or precise injection of the TP with procaine solution. Relief is usually long lasting only if mechanical and systemic perpetuating factors are corrected.

Back Pain

Myofascial origins of low back pain. 2. Torso muscles.

Trigger points (TPs) in muscles of the lower torso associated with the spine are an important cause of low back pain. The quadratus lumborum is the muscle most commonly involved, but TPs located there are often overlooked because of inadequate physical examination techniques. TPs in the lower rectus abdominis refer pain horizontally across the low back, and those in the iliopsoas refer pain in a vertical pattern, parallel to the lumbosacral spine. The pain pattern of TPs in the serratus posterior inferior is noted in the region of the muscle itself.

Back

Myofascial origins of low back pain. 3. Pelvic and lower extremity muscles.

Gluteal, pelvic, and lower extremity muscles are common sites of origin of myofascial low back pain. Trigger points (TPs) in the gluteus maximus and medius muscles refer pain locally to the gluteal and sacral regions, while those in the gluteus minimus are likely to refer pain down the lower extremity as far as the ankle on the same side. TPs in intrapelvic muscles refer pain chiefly to the pelvic region. Besides producing referred myofascial pain, TPs in the piriformis muscle can cause symptoms of entrapment of the peroneal portion or all of the sciatic nerve. TPs in the soleus muscle may refer pain to the sacroiliac joint.

Buttocks