. is was a terrific start to self-administered trigger point therapy. I started
to feel there was hope for my own training, and that I would not become an
armchair coach after all.December
. I did not start lower-back trigger point therapy until the first week of
December. e hand tool I got with the book was fine for everything I
wanted to use it for except the lower-back and buttocks area. To apply pres-
sure to the trigger points in that area I needed a different tool—a “backnob-
ber” from Pressure Positive Co. I did not get this until December.. Upon using the backnobber I discovered I was loaded with trigger points in
an arc around my lower-back and upper buttocks area, especially the latter.
Tackling the trigger points on a regular basis in my glutei was what made
the most impact in controlling pain in my lower back. e glutei can take a
lot of pressure during therapy. Like the ones I had in abundance in my upper
back, thighs and shoulders (especially the right shoulder), the trigger points
in my lower back and buttocks were almost painful to touch.. ere was immediate improvement in my lower back from the trigger point
therapy, and after a few weeks I knew for sure I had struck gold for my
lower-back problems. e discomfort there was reduced substantially, as
was the sciatica down my left leg. Following the advice of Bonnie Prudden,
most days I also did two specific stretches for my lower back. While these
seemed to help with the back recovery, it was the trigger point therapy that
was the big factor.. At about this time I noticed that my knees suffered much less crackling and
grittiness.. I was very conscientious with the trigger point therapy, despite working
or more hours a week. If I could make time for it, then anyone can. I missed
only a handful of days of therapy over the first three months.January
. In early January my right shoulder seemed , and I could add that to
the complete success I had with the toe injury, and my knees continued to
improve. I continued the trigger point therapy for maintenance purposes.
By late January my lower back and left leg connection felt nearly most
days, and actually on some days.