Tandem Point(SM) Therapy:
An integrated acupressure approach for myofascial pain

by
Rena K. Margulis

Presented to Rehabilitation Medicine Grand Rounds National Institutes of Health, March 17, 2000

Presentation overview

• Introduction
• Trigger point definitions and structure
• Acupuncture theory
• Primary channels
• Sinew channels
• Techniques for deactivating trigger points
• Trigger point pressure release
• Tandem Point therapy
• Muscle choice
• Simplified (muscle-only) Tandem Point approach
• Standard Tandem Point approach
• Choosing a tandem point
• Mind-body approaches
• When would a clinician try Tandem Point therapy?
• Possible side effects
  
• Disc degeneration
  
• Possible scientific basis for Tandem Point therapy and acupuncture for pain relief
  
• Research idea: test for electrical voltage differential across common point combinations
  
• Neck torsion syndrome
  
• Iliopsoas syndrome
  
• Proposed clinical trial of Tandem Point therapy for iliopsoas syndrome
  
• Conclusion and questions
  
• References