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What do I do with my trigger points now, Dr Quintner?
John Quintner, Professor Milton Cohen and Dr Geoffrey Bove recently published a very controversial review – A critical evaluation of the trigger point phenomenon. Their article aims to show the hypothesis – “Myofascial Pain arising from Trigger Points” – formulated in the 1980s by Travell and Simons, is ‘flawed both in reasoning and in science’. Being closely aquainted to John (albeit via cyberspace), I sought a patient’s explanation. What does this mean for me and others with chronic pain erroneously attributed to myofascial trigger points? How many years have you been practising and researching chronic pain? I commenced my [...]
Permission granted and now it’s back to reality!
Permission granted and now it's back to reality! Or is it possible I never really left my reality? As if anyone can leave chronic pain behind and really have time off! I'm going to post my brain's two conflicting versions: 1. Crap thinking out-of-the-way first version..
Signing off for 2014 under an Olsen sun at MONA
Or should I say, looking forward to 2015? Looking forward is more my tune but the changeover of another year, especially with chronic pain, calls me to reflect and to ponder my future. It’s been three gorgeous months in nurturing Tasmania where I’ve eased my work load, upped my fine art a little, and squished obligations to almost zilch (bliss!). The year will end and sadly I haven’t been able to incorporate driving into my abilities, nor a consistent and regular exercise routine, and Theo is still carrying much of our daily living load… but… …as I keep stating, [...]
Melbourne Leader story, Soula bares soul over pain
The following story was published in support of the current National campaign: Nerve Pain is Different. Please help us raise awareness for those with debilitating invisible pain. If you think you have nerve pain, talk to your doctor and visit www.nervepain.com.au. Complete the online questionnaire intended to help you explain your pain and take a printout to discuss with your doctor. Resident shares story of coping with daily agony following fit ball accident By Nic Price for the Melbourne LeaderSOULA Mantalvanos’ life was up-ended in 2007 when a fit ball she was sitting on burst and she dropped to [...]
Robert J. Echenberg, MD
I don’t think I need to write an introduction for Dr Echenberg or Bridge for Pelvic Pain. The only explanation I feel I need to give is that I was drawn (pardon the pun!) to Dr Echenberg’s fabulous ‘patient expressions’ web page on his site: www.instituteforwomeninpain.com and had to send him an email. I landed on The Echenberg Institute website after participating in the Pain Pathways facebook chat. From there I was also contacted by Carin Willis, the Founder and ED of Bridge for Pelvic Pain who also took the time to send me a very touching email expressing [...]
My interview with the Australian Pain Society
APS: How important are support groups for both you and your close family/community? Soula: I can’t say I feel there is much support for my husband and family/community. It’s difficult with invisible pain, it’s a similar scenario with depression, we still don’t get it. Society seems to have been given an immense right to provide their opinion (e.g. with social media platforms) and this has opened up some kind of authority to encourage opinions and much judgment. Not many tread carefully or really think from someone else’s perspective. Although we have more information accessible to us, we seem to be learning less.