PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION RESOURCES

Blogs and articles.

Explore practical articles, clinical insights and educational resources for massage therapists, manual therapists, rehabilitation professionals, athletic trainers and other healthcare practitioners.

ANATOMYMuscles, movement and functional relationships
CONDITIONSCommon pain patterns, injuries and presentations
TECHNIQUESMassage, manual therapy and rehabilitation approaches
PRACTICEEvidence, professional development and self-care

Blogs and Articles

Trigger Point Therapy - Treating the Iliopsoas Group - Niel Asher Education
Unlocking Comfort: Effective Iliopsoas Trigger Point Therapy for Pain Relief
   How to Find and Treat Psoas Trigger Points    This muscle group lies deep in the abdominal cavity, and is too often overlooked Trigger points in the iliopsoas frequently contribute... Read more...
How To Self Treat Trigger Points - Gluteus Maximus - Niel Asher Education
How To Self Treat Trigger Points - Gluteus Maximus
    Trigger Point Therapy - Self Help Tips for Treating Gluteal Muscles      The pain from gluteal trigger points can be severe -  so what can you do... Read more...
How To Treat Trigger Points - Clinical Guidance - Niel Asher Education
How To Treat Trigger Points - Clinical Guidance
  How To Treat Trigger Points - Clinical Guidance   Best Practice Guidelines for Treating Trigger Points Paul Townley provides an overview of current best practice guidelines for treating and... Read more...
Treating Tension Type Headaches and Migraines - Niel Asher Education
Treating Tension Type Headaches and Migraines
    Trigger Point Anatomy - Epicranius Muscles       So what is the relationship between trigger points and headaches? According to many neurologists, the most common form of headache... Read more...
Trigger Point Therapy - Popliteus and Knee Pain - Niel Asher Education
Trigger Point Therapy - Popliteus and Knee Pain
    Popliteus - an often overlooked muscle that takes a lot of abuse       Left untreated, trigger points in popliteus can lead to a number of more... Read more...
Trigger Point Therapy - Gastrocnemius Anatomy - Niel Asher Education
Trigger Point Therapy - Gastrocnemius Anatomy
  Gastrocnemius - Trigger Point Anatomy   Gastrocnemius Muscle and Trigger Points Several trigger points can form in this muscle, typically referring pain (and sometimes stiffness) into the medial plantar... Read more...
Trigger Point Therapy - Rectus Abdomini - Niel Asher Education
Unlock Lasting Relief: How Trigger Point Therapy for Rectus Abdomini Can Alleviate Lower Back Pain
Trigger Point Anatomy - Rectus Abdomini     Trigger points in the rectus abdomini are often associated with lower back pain The rectus abdominis flexes the lumbar spine, depresses the... Read more...
Trigger Point Therapy - Multifidus / Rotatores - Niel Asher Education
Trigger Point Therapy - Multifidus / Rotatores
  Multifidi and Rotatores - Trigger Point Anatomy       Trigger Points in Multifidi may be the cause of a high percentage of back pain, and may increase the... Read more...
Treating Trigger Points - The Obliques - Niel Asher Education
Treating Trigger Points - The Obliques
  The Obliques - Trigger Point Anatomy      Trigger Points in the Obliques can be the Cause of Stomach, Chest, or Groin Pain The posterior fibers of the external oblique... Read more...
Muscle Energy Technique - Levator Scapulae - Niel Asher Education
Muscle Energy Technique - Levator Scapulae
Levator Scapulae - Trigger Point Anatomy     MET's are sometimes used by therapists in combination with trigger point therapy protocols Muscle Energy Techniques (MET's) emerged as a form of osteopathic... Read more...
Treating Trigger Points - Infraspinatus - Niel Asher Education
Treating Trigger Points - Infraspinatus
    Infraspinatus - Trigger Point Anatomy     The infraspinatus is an important muscle in scapula positioning as it decelerates internal rotation and shoulder flexion As with each of the... Read more...
Muscle Energy Techniques - Treating Subscapularis - Niel Asher Education
Muscle Energy Techniques - Treating Subscapularis
Trigger Points in Subscapularis - it's important to include stretching as part of treatment. MET's may be effective (see below).   Studies have shown that a combination of compression, stretching and... Read more...
Stretching for Pain Relief - The Psoas Muscles - Niel Asher Education
Stretching for Pain Relief - The Psoas Muscles
  Iliopsoas - Trigger Point Anatomy    Stretching the Psoas Muscles The psoas major and iliacus are considered part of the posterior abdominal wall because of their position and cushioning... Read more...
Trigger Point Therapy - Treating Pectoralis Major - Niel Asher Education
Trigger Point Therapy - Treating Pectoralis Major
  Pectoralis Major - Trigger Point Overview     Active Trigger Points in Pectoralis Major are Common - and Relatively Simple to Treat Trigger points in pectoralis major are common... Read more...
Stretching for Pain Relief - Shoulder & Neck Pain - Niel Asher Education
Stretching for Pain Relief - Shoulder & Neck Pain
  Shoulder Pain and Rhomboid Trigger Points    Trigger points are common in all the main shoulder and neck muscles In fact just about all of us have latent trigger... Read more...
Trigger Point Therapy - Great Stretches for Latissimus Dorsi - Niel Asher Education
Trigger Point Therapy - Great Stretches for Latissimus Dorsi
MET for Stretching Latissimus Dorsi Common daily activities such as gardening can lead to active trigger points in latissimus dorsi which in turn can lead to painful and debilitating symptoms... Read more...
Five Awesome Stretches for the Hip and Thigh - Niel Asher Education
Five Awesome Stretches for the Hip and Thigh
  IT Band Stretch      Stretching is often a key component of trigger point treatment Here are five simple stretches that we typically refer to in terms of an... Read more...
Massage Cupping for Muscle Adhesions and Scarring Caused by Tattoos - Niel Asher Education
Massage Cupping for Muscle Adhesions and Scarring Caused by Tattoos
    NAT instructor Vicki Ramsdell LMT talks about tattoos, muscle adhesions and how cupping is her "go to" modality for treating these.     Links Find a Trigger Point... Read more...